- John Quinn and his co-trainer announced the sprinter’s death on Sunday
- There was initial optimism that she could be saved but the injury was too severe
Popular sprinter Highfield Princess has died after sustaining an inoperable fracture while in her stable.
It had been announced during the Cheltenham Festival that the four-time group one race winning mare was injured and retired but there was initial optimism that she could be saved.
Announcing her death on Sunday John Quinn and his co-trainer son Sean said: ‘It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce the death of our wonderful mare Highfield Princess.
‘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’s rise from moderate handicapper to globetrotting sprinter gained her a big fan club.
Highfield Princess (R) has died after sustaining an inoperable fracture while in her stable
Her 14 career wins memorably included the group one treble of Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, York’s Nunthorpe Stakes and the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh under regular jockey Jason Hart in the space of a month in the Summer of 2022.
In all Highfield Princess, who was owned by John Fairley, won just over £1.8million in prizemoney. She competed at the Breeders’ Cup in the US and in Hong Kong and was being prepared to race on this Summer.
John Quinn added: ‘Highfield Princess took us all on the most remarkable journey. She possessed Group One ability but also a Group One attitude. Whether it was a routine canter or a big sprint race around the world, she put 100 per cent effort into what she did. We will miss her more than words can say.’
Her rise from moderate handicapper to globetrotting sprinter gained her a big fan club
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