RP_ID00454637_editNashwa © Mark Cranhamphoto.com/Racing Post PhotosEurope

Frankel's Nashwa too good in the Nassau

Frankel filly Nashwa landed the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood today for her second Group 1 victory.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 28th July 2022, by Tom Frary:

Class has told all week so far at the Goodwood Festival and on Thursday it was the turn of TDN Rising Star Nashwa to excel in the Gr.1 Nassau Stakes.

Sent off the 6-5 favourite, having cantered to post like an old hand under Hollie Doyle, Imad Al Sagar's Gr.1 Prix de Diane heroine cruised from the rear down the outer. She swooped on to the front end with a furlong remaining, asserting an ultimately-comfortable one and three-quarter-length success from Aristia, with Lilac Road half a length behind in third.

"I am very emotional when it comes to her - she is my first Classic-winning homebred and is a future broodmare for Blue Diamond," Al Sagar commented. He added: "We noticed from early in her career that she was special, but how special we didn't know. Since April she has developed at a very fast pace physically and mentally."

The perfect rhythm she displayed on the way to the start was also there in the race, where she accepted restraint with total compliance as the match made in heaven with her rider deepens further each time they join together. Always well within her comfort-zone, she was asked to close as the frontrunning Dreamloper failed to get away approaching two out and was able to make up the deficit with ease. Picking up the unexposed fellow three-year-old Fonteyn and Aristia soon after, the bay strode to the line typically powerfully to give the impression she was in a class of her own despite the final margins.

Hollie Doyle provided her lowdown after: "She gave me some feel. A change of tactics today from France, but it paid off. Nashwa is A1, you can't fault her. I rode her aggressively in France because we had a good draw and I wanted to hold my position. Today, in between her work from her previous run, she now knows what she is doing so I didn't want to light her up and ride her from a pace angle."

She added: "I came down the hill with a double handful. She travels very well, but she takes a while to hit top gear. This is her perfect trip. She has a high cruising speed and sees it out very well. She is push-button and you can ride her anywhere, which is really nice. Nashwa is a horse of a lifetime and if it wasn't for Imad Al Sagar giving me this opportunity, I might not have enjoyed days like this. Every Group 1 means a lot, so you've got to enjoy it while it lasts because you get home tonight and you'll be back into work mode for the next day. You have limited time to enjoy these moments."

Al Sagar added: "The important part of it is I own the family. She was not disgraced in the Oaks, but ran out of stamina - we didn't know beforehand about the trip and found out. It was a beautiful performance in the French Oaks and to do that with only 16 days between two Classics, she must be very special. Our target will be the Prix de l'Opera on Arc day and then the Breeders' Cup [Filly & Mare Turf]. She has had a very busy season and we definitely would not want to overdo it. She will be kept in training at four and I think she will be better then - the whole family thrive with age."