Prince of Wales's Result: Highland Reel wins again

Highland Reel (9/4) tracked the pace set by Scottish for most of the race, but looked to have a real fight on his hands when Ulysses and Decorated Knight loomed up at the two furlong pole. However, Highland Reel - who was running just 19 days after winning the Coronation Cup at Epsom - fought back tenaciously under Ryan Moore, eventually winning by a length and a quarter.

Decorated Knight (10/1) was second for Roger Charlton and Andrea Atzeni, with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Ulysses (9/2), ridden by Jim Crowley, back in third.

Jack Hobbs, sent off the 2/1 favourite, was unplaced.

Highland Reel and Ryan Moore come through for Prince of Wales's Stakes glory - this horse has now won just shy of £6m in prize money! pic.twitter.com/oVdWE0buYG

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 21, 2017

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Highland Reel took his career earnings to £5.97 million with today's victory, whilst for the master of Ballydoyle, this win is deemed to be his 300^th Group or Grade success on the flat and jumps.

O'Brien was effusive in his praise of the horse. He remarked: "Highland Reel is a brilliant horse and Ryan gave him a brilliant ride. Davy has done a great job on him and Andrew was over the moon with him, so we were really looking forward to it. Seamus was very happy with his work and Davy, who rides him every day, felt he was getting better and better. They were very confident that he was on the upgrade.

"He is an incredible horse. Pace, courage, tactical speed, he has everything. He was back to a mile and a quarter today and we know he gets a mile and a half well, but was a very good Group Two winner over seven furlongs as a two-year-old. He always had that pace. A big credit and well done must go to everybody at home that is involved with him.

"He has never lacked pace so we were hoping today over this distance that courage would come into it. He is tactically very quick and unbelievably courageous.

"He has passed every test that you would want a thoroughbred to go through. His first Group race was as a two-year-old and we have toured the world with him since then. Every time, he turns up in big races over a mile, 10 furlongs and 12 furlongs, he has a great mind and has passed all the tests everywhere he goes - he is an amazing horse. He stays and is incredibly brave. Ryan asked for courage and he gave it to them.

"He is like his sire Galileo because he also had so much courage and he has passed it on to Highland Reel ten-fold.

"He has been racing at the top level for the last few years and he is just amazing. We always thought the world of him because he has always been a natural, brilliant athlete. Sometimes he gets beat, but if the pace is strong and if it comes anywhere near courage, then he will be there fighting. He has danced every dance. He has awful lot of tactical speed and that is a huge asset to have in a horse. I'm not sure we have ever had a horse with the constitution that he has."

O'Brien suggested that a return to Ascot for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO), a race which Highland Reel won last year could be next on the agenda. He is 5/4 with Paddy Power and 6/4 with Ladbrokes for the G1 event. O'Brien continued: "The plan was to come here for this race and then come back to Ascot again for the King George but we'll see what the lads want to do, but that was what we were thinking."

Reflecting on reaching 300 Group and Grade One victories, Flat and Jump, O'Brien remarked: "We are a small part in a massive team. It's all pure teamwork by all the people involved in this process. It's a huge chain of people involved and we feel privileged to be a part of it. The lads make it happen and we are so grateful to them for helping guide us along.

Tom Magnier, son of one of the joint-owners John and Sue Magnier, said: "We are lucky to have a horse like him. He is tough and run some great races and today's victory is one of his best. Some people might have thought that 10 furlongs was a little bit short for him but he has a lot of fight and he showed that today. Ryan gave him a fantastic ride and they didn't give up on each other - it was a great result. It was a great race and that is what everyone comes here to see, but when you've got Ryan Moore on board, that is an advantage and Highland Reel just keeps finding. He has a fantastic temperament and he doesn't give up. The King George would be a great race for him but we will first take him home and see from there."

Moore said: "Highland Reel has a marvellous attitude, like so many of these Galileos. They were the first three there [second-placed Decorated Knight and Ulysses, third, are both sired by Galileo as well].

"Highland Reel has been everywhere and keeps coming back. It was a tough performance at Epsom [to win the Coronation Cup] and he has come back after not that long a break. I'd say it was probably a career-best from him today.

"Fair play to Aidan for getting him back after Epsom. He had a difficult day that day [the plane bringing O'Brien's horses to the track was delayed and Highland Reel arrived at Epsom just over an hour before the race] and to then come here and win, it is a massive performance by him.

"We knew he would see it out real well and the last furlong was his best.

"He's always tried very hard. Aidan always does a great job of getting him back [from his races] quickly; obviously he's a very tough horse but he's a high-class horse as well. He's a King George winner, a Breeders' Cup winner, a Hong Kong Vase winner... He often brings his best, as long as he gets quick ground, and he's a very good horse.

"He deserved a big win here today. We're delighted with him and it's been a big effort from the team at home to get him back from Epsom and here today."

Prince of Wales's Stakes 2017 Full Result