Highland Reel Brother Chasing Group One Glory

Tara Madgwick - Friday May 11
Galileo's champion son Highland Reel (IRE) will shuttle to Swettenham Stud in Victoria this spring, but for his five year-old full brother Idaho there are still races to be won and a stylish victory overnight in the Group III Ormonde Stakes at Chester shows he's on track for a big season.

Headed to Swettenham Stud in the spring, Highland Reel is the full brother to Idaho Placed in the Epsom and Irish Derbies at three, the Aidan O'Brien trained Idaho won the Group II Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last year before acquitting himself well, albeit without winning, in five subsequent Group I races which included the Arc de Triomphe and Japan Cup.

He scored a dominant three and a half length win in the Ormonde Stakes over 1m5 ½ f with Ryan Moore in the saddle prompting Aidan O'Brien to be optimistic about the year head.

"Idaho had a break since Dubai and that's as far as we've run him (since the St Leger, when he lost his rider). We came here with a view to going back to the Coronation and King George, but Ryan was very happy with how well he stayed and we could look at another plan if needed. It leaves more options for us. He's maturing well and starting to do things right," O'Brien said.

One of three winners from Group I placed Australian Danehill mare Hveger, Idaho has won four races and placed seven times from 18 starts.

His full brother Highland Reel won 10 races - seven of them Group I – and will stand at Swettenham at a fee of $16,500.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Highland Reel to Stand at Swettenham
In a tremendous boost to Australia’s stallion ranks, Swettenham Stud has announced that globe-trotting great, HIGHLAND REEL (IRE), will stand in Victoria this spring.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Third Stakes-Winner for Aussie Mare Hveger
A full brother to champion seven time Group I winner Highland Reel, three year-old Galileo colt Cape of Good Hope stamped himself as an Epsom Derby contender when winning the Epsom Blue Riband Trial on Wednesday in the UK.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.