The race attracted a field of seven runners, four from England, two from Ireland and one from France. In the build-up to the race it seemed certain that the 2015 winner Postponed would start a strong favourite but the horse was withdrawn three days before the contest when he was found to be suffering from a respiratory infection. At the supplementary entry stage two days earlier, Queen Elizabeth II had entered her four-year-old Dartmouth at a cost of £75,000 but the owners of the Eclipse Stakes winner Hawkbill opted to bypass the race. Dartmouth was regarded as a strong contender, having won the John Porter Stakes, Ormonde Stakes and Hardwicke Stakes. The Irish Coolmore Stud organisation was represented by two runners from the Aidan O'Brien stable: Highland Reel was a proven international campaigner, having won the Secretariat Stakes and the Hong Kong Vase, whilst Sir Isaac Newton had won the International Stakes at the Curragh on his last start. France's representative Erupt had won the Grand Prix de Paris in 2015 and finished second in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on his most recent appearance. The only three-year-old in the race was Wings of Desire who had won the Dante Stakes before finishing fourth in the 2016 Epsom Derby. The other two runners were Western Hymn and the gelding Second Step. Highland Reel was made the 13/8 favourite ahead of Erupt at 3/1, Wings of Desire on 4/1 and Dartmouth 9/2. The outsiders Sir Isaac Newton, Western Hymn and Second Step started at 14/1, 25/1 and 33/1 respectively.
The race
Moore sent Highland Reel into the lead from the start and the favourite set a steady early pace from Erupt, Wings of Desire and Sir Isaac Newton with Dartmouth being restrained towards the rear of the field. Highland Reel went several lengths clear of the field at half way but the margin was reduced as he entered the straight ahead of Wings of Desire as Erupt stayed on and Dartmouth began to make progress on the outside. Highland Reel repelled the challenge of Wings of Desire and won by one and a quarter lengths with Dartmouth two and three quarter lengths back in third place. Sir Isaac Newton held off Erupt for fourth ahead of Western Hymn and Second Step.
Race details
Sponsor: QIPCO
Purse: £1,150,000; First prize: £689,027
Surface: Turf
Going: Good to Firm
Distance: 12 furlongs
Number of runners: 7
Winner's time: 2:28.97
Full result
Abbreviations: nse = nose; nk = neck; shd = head; hd = head
