Highland Falls gets breakthrough G1 with superb Jockey Club Gold Cup display

Highland Falls booked his ticket for the Breeders’ Cup Classic as he outfought Arthur’s Ride to secure a first G1 success in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sunday, 1 September. 

The son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Curlin, who is out of 2006 Breeders’ Cup Distaff heroine Round Pond, headed into the Saratoga highlight having made the first four in all eight career starts, including winning the G3 Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs in June. 

Under an aggressive ride, the Brad Cox-trained four-year-old raced prominently throughout and overcame some early buffeting to race in a length second behind Whitney Stakes scorer Arthur’s Ride. 

Flavien Prat switched Highland Falls off the rail heading into the first turn and reduced Arthur’s Ride’s lead to half a length, before closing to within a neck after the first half mile. 

Highland Falls continued to apply pressure as the front two skipped four lengths clear of Tapit Trice rounding the far bend, with the Godolphin colt kicking into a slender advantage turning in. 

Arthur’s Ride rallied on the inside and briefly regained his lead just under two furlongs out but could not repel Highland Falls, who battled back to hit the front passing the furlong pole. 

Highland Falls powered away soon after, crossing the line four lengths clear of Pyrenees. Disarm came out on top over Tapit Trice in a photo for third, with Arthur’s Ride fading to fifth close home. 

Brad Cox said: “The plan was to break, go forward and apply some pressure to Arthur’s Ride. Flavien did a good job of making him run going into the first turn and then taking a hold before going round, and then applying pressure up the back. 

“Highland Falls was moving well. I think we were a little passive with him last time – I’m not certain he would have won that race at Monmouth, but I think he needs to get out and go. We always felt that he was a mile-and-a-quarter horse and he has proved it today. 

“He had been working really well and we felt confident that he would run a big race today. We took him away and warmed him up a little bit before the race and told Flavien to break running and put him in a forward position. 

“The Breeders’ Cup Classic is certainly something we will look at. I don’t know if we need a race between now and then, but we will talk it over with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the whole Godolphin team to figure out if that’s where we are going. I’m happy to get this G1 under his belt – he has an awesome, big-time pedigree and he’s a great physical, so I’m excited about getting the G1 today.”

Flavien Prat added: “I wanted to get Highland Falls into the race and I felt that, if one horse could handle the mile and a quarter, it was him. I wanted to make sure the pace was fair, and it turned out well. He ran great and I was able to get myself into the race. After that, he was travelling super all the way round. 

“At the eight-pole, I took a peek and it felt like something was coming on my outside, but he found another gear and got the job done.”