REEL STEEL
Ryan hits high spots in big-race battle
HIGHLAND REEL, one of the great street fighters of the turf, stepped into the ring and again came out victorious when taking the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
Given a confident ride by Ryan Moore, the five-year-old took his career earnings to £5.97million when landing his sixth Group One success after holding off challenges from Decorated Hero, the second home, and Ulysses, who finished third.
Winning trainer Aidan O’Brien, who was landing his 300th Group and Grade success on the Flat and over jumps, understandably lavished praise on the little bay with a heart of a lion.
“He’s just an incredible horse,” said O’Brien. “Pace, courage, tactical speed, he has everything.
“We have travelled the world with him and he’s answered every question. He has passed every test that you would want a thoroughbred to go through.
“His first Group race was a two-year-old and we have toured the world with him since. He’s been racing at the top level for the last few years and is just amazing. Sometimes he gets beat, but if the pace is strong and if it comes anywhere near courage, then he will be fighting.”
Moore, recording his 44th Royal Ascot success, also shares O’Brien’s love for the son of the mighty Galileo. He said: “He’s so tough, he’s got a marvellous attitude, so many came at him out there today.
Massive
“This lad has been everywhere but he keeps coming back. It was a tough performance at Epsom (Coronation Cup) and another one today. He’s so brave and I’d say that was probably a career best.
“Fair play to Aidan to keep bringing him back. He had a difficult day at Epsom (delayed flight from Ireland) but to come here and win, it’s a massive performance. We knew he’d see it out really well.”
He is expected to return to Ascot for next month’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the race he won last year.
Reflecting on reaching 300 Group and Grade One victories, Flat and jumps, O’Brien remarked: “We are a small part in a massive team. It’s all pure teamwork by all the people involved in this process. It’s a huge chain of people involved and we feel privileged to be a part of it.
“The lads make it happen and we are so grateful to them for helping guide us along.”
Tom Magnier, son of the joint-owners John and Sue Magnier, said: “We are lucky to have a horse like him.
“He is tough and has run some great races and today’s victory is one of his best.
“Some people might have thought that 10 furlongs was a little bit short for him but he has a lot of fight and showed that today.
Fantastic
“Ryan gave him a fantastic ride and they didn’t give up on each other – it was a great result. It was a great race and that is what everyone comes here to see, but when you’ve got Ryan Moore on board, that is an advantage and Highland Reel just keeps finding.
“He has a fantastic temperament and doesn’t give up. The King George would be a great race for him, but we will first take him home and see from there.”
Highland Reel’s fighting days are far from over – enjoy them while you can.
While O’Brien was celebrating Highland Reel’s triumph, he was still scatching his head over the failure of Churchill to land the odds in the St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day.
Churchill could only finish fourth behind Barney Roy on Tuesday and O’Brien said the colt was off his food that evening.
O’Brien said: “He didn’t eat up his full dinner last night, which is a bit unusual.
“He might possibly go for the Sussex Stakes, but before we make any decisions we’ll see how he is over the next 10 days to two weeks.”