Nashwa (6/5F) confirmed herself as one of the best fillies of her generation by running away with Thursday's G1 Qatar Nassau Stakes under Hollie Doyle, the first female jockey to win the 10-furlong showpiece at Goodwood.
Having raced in last early on, Nashwa made ground smoothly to challenge on the outside of runners in the straight before stretching away in the final furlong for an authoritative 1 3/4-length success. Aristia (40/1) posted a career-best in second, with Lilac Road (15/2) third after meeting trouble in running.
Nashwa, who carried Doyle into the history books when winning the Prix de Diane last month, is a fifth win in the race for trainer John Gosden and his first in partnership with son Thady.
John Gosden said: “We were drawn nine and we didn't want to get caught on the outside with daylight. We have relaxed in last and what they've done is suddenly pull the pace up. If you look at the fractions, they did two 14 second furlongs in the middle, which is as slow as you can go. Coming from last made it tough on her as they are quickening down the hill, but Nashwa has got the class and, when the ground levelled off, she was happier. She is versatile to do that from off the pace. I think next time we might have to put a pacemaker in.
“She has won with a bit in hand, but she is a grand filly who is improving all the time. Her owner-breeder Imad Al Sagar keeps pictures of her and she has changed a lot this year alone. I think we will stay in against the fillies in something like the Prix de l'Opera. I don't want to rush taking on colts this year, maybe next year.
“We tried over a mile and a half at Epsom and she didn't quite get the trip. She has won the Diane and the Nassau, so you can never ask for more from a filly. She has got the frame to improve again in the autumn and next year.
“Hollie Doyle is a star. She has an incredible work ethic. As a rider, she is very savvy and strong with great balance. She has the most wonderful personality, and she is so applied and focused – she is a credit to anybody in any line of work.”
Doyle said: “It is pretty awesome. 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. Mr. Gosden told me to ride her that way today.
“I came down the hill with a double handful. She travels very well, but she takes a while to hit top gear. I was conscious about keeping her balanced down the hill. 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 for giving me this opportunity, I might not have enjoyed days like this. Every Group One 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.”
Winning owner Imad Al Sagar said: “Nashwa is a homebred and I must admit that I am very emotional when it comes to her. She is my first Classic homebred and I am very proud of her. It is significant as this is the future broodmare for Blue Diamond Stud. The important part is that I own the family. Her dam Princess Loulou is now in foal to Frankel, carrying a filly which makes her a full-sister to Nashwa.
“Talking about the season, we knew from her two-year-old career that she was special, but how special we did not know. Since April, she has developed physically and mentally very quickly. She demonstrated those skills at Haydock and at Newbury in a Listed race. In the Oaks, she was beaten three and a half lengths and ran out of stamina. We were going into unknown territory, but in the French Oaks, she demonstrated a beautiful performance and now her second Group One in the Nassau.
“Our target will be the Prix de l'Opera on Arc day and then the Breeders' Cup for the Filly & Mare Turf. She has had a busy season and we don't want to overdo it.
“What I saw in Hollie is what she demonstrated today, but two years ago. Hollie is a gifted jockey, very intelligent and very dedicated. She has proved that today. I've said that gender should have nothing to do with it. Either you have it or you don't.”
Richard Hannon said of the runner-up: “I am delighted. Aristia is always a filly that runs massively above what you were expecting. For some reason she did not come in her coat until well after Ascot. We have got her back right and she looks a million. She ran a super race and we have got the rest of the season to look forward to.
“She has finished second to an extremely good filly. Everything is an option now. She is a filly with an awful lot of scope. There are some lovely races coming up and I would love to hope that she will stay in training for next year.”
Maureen Haggas said of Lilac Road: “I thought she ran great. She did not get the smoothest run through, which often happens at Goodwood. In the last 50 yards she flew – I am thrilled with her. Looking at that, I think we could step her up to 12 furlongs happily.
“And she is getting better as she has never been easy beforehand. We went down first and she wasn't too bad today. She is settling in her races and has galloped right to the line. I don't know what plans there might be. She is well worth keeping at this standard, and William will find something and talk to Jon and Julia and work out a plan.”
The Qatar Nassau Stakes is part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
3.35pm Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)
1 Nashwa (Imad Al Sagar) John & Thady Gosden 3-9-00 Hollie Doyle 6/5F
2 Aristia (Mrs E Roberts) Richard Hannon 4-9-09 Sean Levey 40/1
3 Lilac Road (Jon & Julia Aisbitt) William Haggas 4-9-09 Tom Marquand 15/2
8 ran
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