Highland Reel signs off in style

Sha Tin : Highland Reel brought his illustrious career to a close in fitting style by winning the Longines Hong Kong Vase at the 2017 Longines Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin.

In his last start before heading to stud, Highland Reel was challenged by Andre Fabre’s Talismanic but held on for a seventh Group One victory in his farewell race.

This last outing for the famed five year old horse could not have been scripted any better as old adversary Talismanic loomed up menacingly while Highland Reel was responding gallantly to jockey Ryan Moore having taken the lead at the top of the final straight.

Talismanic challenged but was unable to make an impact as Highland Reel strode clear and had a length and three-quarters in hand at the line and was pulling away again after being given an aggressive ride from Moore.

Japan’s Tosen Basil finished third, three-quarters of a length behind Talismanic, while Ralph Beckett’s Chemical Charge fared best of the British raiders in fourth.

This was a second Hong Kong Vase for Highland Reel, who won in 2015 and was only narrowly denied last year, and he ends his career having won more prize-money than any horse trained in Europe, with this success taking his haul to £7.4 million.

This seventh top-level success marked the end of an incredible journey, encompassing four seasons in training and 13 starts outside Britain and Ireland, with journeys to the likes of Australia, Dubai and the USA.

The victory extended trainer Aidan O’Brien’s world record tally of Group One wins in a year to 28.

“This is a really fitting way for him to finish,” said Moore. “He’s been a brilliant racehorse and there’s plenty to look forward to at stud now.