Highfield Princess – Horseracing Royalty Of Yorkshire

Yorkshire has proven to be an exceptional place to train racehorses throughout the years. Mark Johnston, Richard Fahey, and John Quinn have all overseen the careers of some of racing’s best horses, and the latter has another globe-trotting equine superstar who is fast becoming the pride of Yorkshire.

Highfield Princess has been one of the best sprinters in the world over the past few years, and with the recent news that the wonder mare will be continuing her racing career next season, her storied career is not over just yet.

John Quinn – The Master Trainer

John Quinn is one of the most successful British racehorse trainers for some years. Whether it is in the flat racing sphere or over jumps, Quinn has overseen the careers of some wonderful horses in his time, winning multiple top-level races from around the world.

Based in Malton in North Yorkshire, Quinn has never been afraid to follow the trends that make racehorse trainers successful, whether it be teaming up with rich owners, or allowing groups of people to buy shares in a racehorse and join syndicates that have the opportunity to follow their horse around the world.

One of the fastest horses in the world & one of Yorkshire’s finest, Highfield Princess is in immaculate condition ahead of Sunday’s G1 Flying Five Stakes ⁦@curraghrace⁩ 🔥 I catch up with trainer, John Quinn, in the stable of his racing royalty & horse of a lifetime 👑 pic.twitter.com/3mvhNiRDRD

— Derek ‘Tommo’ Thompson (@tommoracing) September 7, 2023

The Rise Of Highfield Princess

After a mediocre start to her racing career, Highfield Princess finally began to show her true potential in her second season. Quinn had been patient with his future star mare in her early days and that decision began to bear fruit as she progressed through the ranks.

The striking bay mare would eventually make it to the top level in 2023, eventually winning three Group 1 races in a row, including the Nunthorpe Stakes at York and the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland.

She was by now one of the quickest sprinters in the world and although she failed to win again for a time, she was able to put in excellent efforts in the Breeders Cup in America and finished placed when running twice in the space of days at the Royal Ascot meeting last year.

She would end the season traveling the world, first winning the coveted Prix de l’Abbaye in France, before slightly underperforming when sent to Hong Kong to end her season.

Another Season To Come

John Quinn and Highfield Princess’ owners then had the choice of whether to continue their superstar sprinter’s career on the track or take the obvious decision to put her in foal and reap the rewards of any future progeny.

This would have been the usual step for a mare that has already supplied her connections with big race wins around the world, particularly since she is now seven years old.

Quinn and Co had different ideas, however. They felt that Highfield Princess has some unfinished business in her career, particularly at Royal Ascot where she had been so unlucky not to win in 2023.

And so, the decision has been made to keep the brilliant sprinter in training for one more year at the very least. Royal Ascot may be the ultimate target, but another year of globe-trotting also awaits Quinn and her lucky owners.