'It’s just gut-wrenching' - Jason Hart leads tributes to 'irreplaceable' Highfield Princess following mare's tragic death

The death of star sprinter Highfield Princess is “gut-wrenching” for all those associated with her, said Jason Hart, the jockey who rode the “irreplaceable” mare to her four Group 1 wins.

On Sunday, trainers John and Sean Quinn and owner-breeder John Fairley announced Highfield Princess had died on Saturday as a result of an “inoperable fracture” to a hind leg sustained in an accident in her stall the previous week.

“I’m gutted,” Hart said. “Sean rang me and told me what had happened and it’s not the way you ever want the story to end, especially for her. For the boss, Sean, John and his family it’s so sad, but she reached out to a wider audience too; she was more than just for us, and lots of people rolled along with her story and were captured by it. She’s irreplaceable, it’s just gut-wrenching.”

Hart partnered Highfield Princess in 32 of her 39 starts, including her wins in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, Nunthorpe Stakes, Flying Five Stakes and Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp. He also steered her to fourth place in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and sixth in the Hong Kong International Sprint.

Highfield Princess and Jason Hart after winning the King George Stakes at Goodwood in 2023Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Hart said: “She took me to places that I never thought I would go. She came into my career at a time when I needed a good horse and she was always there for me. Whenever you needed her most, she would be there with the right performance at the right time.

“I had a proper connection with her as I rode her a lot at home as well as at the races and what I’ll remember most about her, what describes her best, is that she was kind. She was kind in the stable, she was kind to ride and just a pleasure to have anything to do with.”

Highfield Princess progressed from winning a handicap off a rating of 57 to scoring at the top level, most notably when winning three Group 1s at Deauville, York and the Curragh in less than five weeks in 2022.

The route she took to the top, her longevity and her personality endeared her to people, Hart said, which made her death all the harder to take.

“What stands out most for me about her in her career was when she won the Nunthorpe,” he said. “She was brilliant in that race and afterwards, and remember she was a five-furlong sprinter, she paraded back in front of the stands and didn’t bat an eyelid. She went along and took everything in, she knew it was all for her and accepted it kindly and willingly.

“People who never necessarily knew her felt that they did and were part of what was happening, which is why she was special.”

Highfield Princess had been due to return to racing this season with Fairley, who is the Quinns' landlord at Highfield Stables in Malton, saying he and his family loved the “sheer thrill” of watching her compete.

In a statement on Sunday, Fairley said: “It has been the privilege of our lives to have known Highfield Princess. We are all heartbroken. 

Sean Quinn, John Fairley (centre) and Jason Hart with Highfield Princess after her Flying Five winCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

“She was the horse you dream of breeding and owning. She took our family on an extraordinary adventure around the world and created so many precious memories. She loved to race and her intelligence, toughness and will to win were incredible. She was truly a special horse, a member of our family. 

“There were so many people involved in her incredible journey. We know the team at John and Sean Quinn Racing, who have looked after the ‘Princess’ with dedication and love, will also be devastated. We would like to thank them all for their tender care over the years. She was so happy in that yard.

“Highfield Princess was the pride of Yorkshire, a superstar on the racecourse and adored by so many for her irrepressible spirit. We're thinking of everyone who loved and admired her. She will be forever held in our hearts.”

Highfield Princess did not debut until the summer of her three-year-old season in 2020, winning for the first time on her fifth start in a 7f handicap at Ayr. From there she rapidly progressed, winning the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Listed Queen Charlotte Fillies’ Stakes in 2021.

In 2022, Highfield Princess made the leap to Group 1 level and also landed the Group 2 1895 Duke of York Stakes and the Fillies' And Mares' Championships Final at Newcastle.

Last year, as well as completing a fourth Group 1 victory in the Abbaye, she also landed the Group 2 King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood as well as finishing placed in both the King’s Stand Stakes (since renamed the King Charles III Stakes) and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

In a joint-statement from John and Sean Quinn, and Fairley, they said: “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. 

“We would like to thank Jonathan Anderson and the team at Rainbow Equine Hospital, who did everything possible to help the 'Princess' and keep her comfortable.”

John Quinn added: “Highfield Princess took us all on the most remarkable journey. She possessed Group 1 ability but also a Group 1 attitude. Whether it was a routine canter or a big sprint race around the world, she would put in 100 per cent effort into what she did. I am grateful for all that she did for herself and for our team. We will miss her more than words can say.”

In total, Highfield Princess raced 39 times across four seasons, winning 14 times and placing on 14 occasions. She reached a peak rating of 120 and won £1,852,945 (€2,161,940) in prize-money.

Read more here

Three of the best: Highfield Princess's most memorable victories 

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