Highland Chief Books BC Ticket With Grade 3 Win

Highland Chief (5c Gleneagles - Pink Symphony, by Montjeu) continued a fine week for Gleneagles when taking the Grade 3 Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland.

Group-placed in the UK for Paul and Oliver Cole, the five-year-old entire justified a move to the US when landing the Grade 1 Man O’War Stakes in May. Stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time since joining Graham Motion, he chased the leaders under John Velazquez and picked up the pace with two furlongs left to race. Soon in front, Mrs Fitri Hay’s homebred was driven out to win by a length.

The $4million Breeders’ Cup Turf is next on the agenda for Highland Chief, Motion later confirmed, “I think if he comes out of it well, he's right there at Keeneland, and they'll want to take a shot.”

On the winner’s move to the States, the trainer continued, “He's a class horse, he's run against top horses in Europe, and I think they wanted to try and find some spots where they could go for some big money races with him.”

Gleneagles has enjoyed a successful few days, having sired the top lot at the Tattersalls Book 3 Yearling Sale. Cormac McCormack’s bid of 140,000gns sealed leading status for Croom House Stud’s Gleneagles colt out of Shannow.

After revealing his purchase had been made on behalf of MV Magnier, McCormack said, “He’s got a good step to him, a good pedigree and a touch of class. Everyone says this when they buy an expensive horse, but I’d say he’s one of the nicest horses in the sale.”

Gleneagles was also responsible for a 110,000gns sale at the preceding Book 2 session, while his sole offering at Book 1 sold for 650,000gns.