Aidan O’Brien’s Highland Reel won the Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday
Highland Reel won the Longines Hong Kong Vase for the second time in his career on Sunday
HIGHLAND REEL ended his career on a high with a determined win in the Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Aidan O'Brien's globetrotter returned to Hong Kong having won the race two years ago and finished second twelve months ago.
Sitting just behind the pace, jockey Ryan Moore sent him to the front in the home straight and the tough five-year-old had plenty left in the tank to hold off the challenge of Talismanic.
Highland Reel is now set to start his career at stud.
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Moore said: "He's always been a very straightforward horse and he gets the trip very well. I was always happy and always confident and he's the sort of horse that when he gets into a fight he will probably prevail.
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"He dug in the last furlong and then I think he was going away again at the end.
"I think what really marks him out is his consistency, he always runs his best race and he's been a pleasure to ride."
O'Brien added: "He's a very special horse, he's irreplaceable really. It's very rare that you get a horse who can travel like him.
"We were lucky to hold onto him as a five-year-old, he really will be irreplaceable for us at home."