Highland Reel Wins Secretariat Stakes

Cox Plate entry Highland Reel has run out a brilliant all-the-way winner of the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington for champion Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan.

The Australian Bloodstock-owned Goldstream finished fourth for Sydney jockey Brenton Avdulla but was no match for Highland Reel who emulated the O'Brien-trained Adelaide who won the American race before taking out the Cox Plate.

"He's a star," Heffernan said. "It was like home when it started raining! I was never in any doubt, I didn't see much pace and this horse gallops and stays and he's genuine.

"He won easily. You're always confident when Aidan tells you he likes one."

Second in the French Derby to New Bay, Highland Reel went to the United Stakes off a win in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.