Three Time Winner Kicks Off Saturday Double For Highland Reel

My Bonnie Lassie (2f Highland Reel - Bonnie Arlene, by Excelebration) completed a Saturday double for first season sire Highland Reel when scoring over six furlongs at Catterick.

A promising fifth earlier in the month, Karl Burke’s charge led after two furlongs and was asked to quicken approaching the final furlong. Running on well, she was eased down to win by two and a quarter lengths under Sam James.

Owned by CR Hirst, the progressive bay was bred by Jake Warren and Ben Churchill.

Earlier that day at Ayr, the ever-consistent Highland Premiere (2c Highland Reel - Forthefirstime, by Dr Fong) recorded his third career win for Mark Johnston.

Successful over six and seven furlongs earlier in the season, he was one of nine to line up for Saturday’s opener over a mile and was ridden to make all by Joe Fanning. Shaken up two furlongs from home, he kept on well to deny Vaccine (Vadamos) by a neck.

There should be plenty more to come from Highland Premiere, whose trainer commented, “Highland Premiere is by Highland Reel so he's bred to get a trip and get better with time. He's been crying out for this trip and he stayed it well. He should be better next year.”

Bred by Worksop Manor Stud, the son of Highland Reel is already the winning-most progeny of his dam.