Golden Sword (3c High Chaparral-Sitara by Salse) continued a remarkable winning run for NZ shuttler High Chaparral in the G3 Chester Vase on Thursday.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt, a 165,000gns foal bred in partnership by the Pocock family, held off his fast-finishing stablemate Masterofthehorse (Sadler’s Wells) to give his young sire yet another major success.

Golden Sword was the paddock pick for many and after his victory O’Donoghue said: ‘He’s done it really well.  He’s improved for his first run in France where he put up a good run over a mile and a quarter.  The step up in trip today suited him well.

‘He’s a big strong horse and not short of pace. We’ve never underestimated him and he’s always shown us plenty and we knew that he would be better at three and that he’d improve on what he’d done at two.  This win was not a surprise and we’re delighted. Hopefully he’ll go forward again now.’

This latest Group success for High Chaparral comes four days after Magadan (4c High Chaparral-Molasses, by Machiavellian) stormed away with the G3 Prix d’Hedouville at Longchamp on Sunday.  Winkle (4f High Chaparral-Bernique, by Affirmed) finished third.

That victory followed hot on the heels of wins for Above Average (3c High Chaparral-Crystal Valkyrie) in the G3 Classic Trial at Sandown and Redwood (3c High Chaparral-Arum Lily, by Woodman) in the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket.  The latter is set to contest next week’s G2 Dante Stakes at York.

Meanwhile, runaway Newbury conditions event winner High Heeled (3f High Chaparral-Uncharted Heavens, by Turtle Island) is now a leading contender for the G1 Oaks at Epsom.

High Chaparral shuttles between Coolmore Stud in Ireland and Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand.