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| Staff Writer |
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John Fairley, owner-breeder of Highfield Princess, expressed deep sadness after the mare passed away on March 23rd. Highfield Princess was a multiple Group 1-winner, having won four times at the highest level in Britain, Ireland, and France, as well as competing in major sprints in the United States and Hong Kong. Despite winning a handicap off a rating of 57, she progressed well under the guidance of trainer John Quinn.
Fairley and his family had eagerly been anticipating her return to racing this season, but unfortunately, she had to be retired after sustaining a hind-leg injury in an accident in her stall last week.The Fairley family is heartbroken and will miss the sheer thrill of watching her compete.
In a statement released March 24, Fairley said: "It has been the privilege of our lives to have known Highfield Princess. We are all heartbroken.
"She was the horse you dream of breeding and owning. She took our family on an extraordinary adventure around the world and created so many precious memories. She loved to race and her intelligence, toughness and will to win were incredible. She was truly a special horse, a member of our family.
"There were so many people involved in her incredible journey. From the stud where she was born, to the people who helped her take her first steps under saddle and the farm where she spent her holidays. We know the team at John and Sean Quinn Racing, who have looked after the 'Princess' with dedication and love, will also be devastated. We would like to thank them all for their tender care over the years. She was so happy in that yard."
Highfield Princess initially made positive progress under veterinary supervision, but was unable to make a recovery from "an inoperable fracture".
In a joint statement from John Quinn, his son Sean, and Fairley, they said: "Although over the past week she fought with the same extraordinary spirit she showed on the racecourse, last night she lost her battle for life.”
Highfield Princess, who was bred by former television presenter and producer Fairley, was not sold for 29,000gns (US$38,352) as a yearling and began training the following year under John Quinn. She made her debut in the summer of her three-year-old season and won for the first time on her fifth start in a seven-furlong handicap at Ayr. After that, she quickly progressed, winning the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Listed Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes in 2021.
In 2022, Highfield Princess made an impressive leap to Gr 1 level, winning the Gr 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in France, the Gr 1 Nunthorpe Stakes in Britain, and the Gr1 Flying Five Stakes in Ireland in less than a month. She also won the 1895 Gr 2 Duke Of York Stakes, the Fillies' And Mares' Championships Final at Newcastle, and finished fourth in the Gr 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.
During her impressive racing career, Highfield Princess competed in 39 races over four seasons. She won 14 times and also placed on 14 occasions. Her peak rating was 120, and she earned a total of £1,852,945 (US$1,471,175) in prize money. Last year, she continued her winning streak by clinching another Gr 1 victory at the Gr 1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp and the Gr 2 King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Additionally, she secured notable placements at the Group 1King's Stand Stakes and Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.