A seasoned traveller for the Aidan O'Brien stable who won the Group I Arlington Park Secretariat Stakes in the US last year as well as the HK International Vase at Sha Tin, Highland Reel upped the ante to win the biggest staying race of the UK summer.
Perfectly rated in front by Ryan Moore, Highland Reel held his rivals at bay to the line to win the 1m 4f contest by a length and a quarter earning an automatic start in the Group I Breeders Cup Turf later this year.
"Highland Reel is a unique horse really. So versatile and will travel anywhere. He is getting better both mentally and physically and can go anywhere between a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half," said Aidan O'Brien.
Highland Reel was purchased as
a yearling at the Tattersalls October Sale for 460,000 guineas and runs for
Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor.With six wins and four placings from 15 starts, he is the best offspring of Group I placed Australian bred Danehill (USA) mare Hveger, a full sister to champion Elvstroem and half-sister to champion Haradasun from Group I AJC Australian Oaks winner Circles of Gold.
Hveger has been a regular visitor to Galileo since being sent to the Northern Hemisphere by her owner breeder Frank Tagg and partners.
