Highfield Princess simply regal in the Curragh

Highfield Princess continued her incredible rise through the sprinting ranks with a decisive victory in the Group One Flying Five at the Curragh.

John Quinn's five-year-old mare was beaten off a mark of 57 just over two years ago in Doncaster, but, since getting off the mark the next month, she has plundered 12 races including three Group One's in a row now in France, England and Ireland.

She went off a well-backed 5/4 favourite and broke smartly to race in a close third before travelling well into the lead inside the final quarter of a mile.

She edged over the stands-side rail in the final furlong and was shaken up to go for home. She powered right away to score by three and a quarter lengths from Erosandpsyche (22/1). Flotus rounded out the places in third at 18/1.

Jockey Jason Hart said: "She has gone from strength to strength this year, obviously.

"Three Group One's on the bounce takes a bit of doing, in relative quick succession as well.

"The boss and all the lads at home have done a marvellous job of keeping her at the top of her game.

"I knew coming into the two (pole), she was giving me some feel, that is the best feel she has actually given me all year. It's great.

"It would be nice to go and take on Golden Pal anyway and see how we get on over there. She's well on track to do it.

"She's just spectacular really."

Trainer John Quinn added: "She's a phenomenal filly. John bought her dam in foal and she didn't run at two, we thought she'd win a race or two and all she's done is improve.

“She's by a very good sire, her dam is a good breeder and she's got a good back pedigree. Her dam is by Danehill.

“I think not racing her at two probably helped her and then the rest is down to my wonderful staff and the filly.

“Her next run will be the Breeders' Cup, that's the plan.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson