Tag: G1 Qatar Nassau S.

Frankel’s Nashwa Too Good In The Nassau

Class has told all week so far at the Qatar Goodwood Festival and on Thursday it was the turn of TDN Rising Star Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to excel in the G1 Qatar Nassau S. Sent off the 6-5 favourite having loped to post like an old hand under Hollie Doyle, Imad Al Sagar's G1 Prix de Diane heroine cruised from rear down the outer to swoop on the front end with a furlong remaining and assert for an ultimately-comfortable 1 3/4-length success from the 40-1 outsider Aristia (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), with Lilac Road (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) 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. “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.”

 

Labelled a TDN Rising Star following her emphatic 6 1/2-length success on her 3-year-old bow over a mile at Haydock Apr. 23, Nashwa has continued to grow in stature with each passing week and her smooth win in Newbury's Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. over a mile and a quarter May 14 was followed by a game third in the Oaks which stretched her too far. Back in action 16 days later when she provided her jockey and her owner-breeder with personal landmarks in the Diane at an appreciative Chantilly, this was a quick enough turnaround with all that action in the background but the signs cantering down were all positive.

That 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 front-running Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) failed to get away approaching two out and was able to make up the deficit with ease. Picking up the unexposed fellow 3-year-old Fonteyn (GB) (Farhh {GB}) 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,” she said. “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. 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,” Doyle added. “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 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.”

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.”

John Gosden said, “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.”

Aristia was running the race of her life and trainer Richard Hannon said of the runner-up, “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. 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. 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 [Aisbitt] and work out a plan.”

Nashwa's dam Princess Loulou (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) took time to fulfil her potential, finishing second in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet as a 4-year-old before closing out her career with success in the Listed Gillies Fillies' S. She is a granddaughter of the Listed Princess Elizabeth S. runner-up Sweeping (GB) (Indian King), who produced the dual listed-winning sprinter Watching (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) who was also runner-up in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene. Sweeping is also the second dam of the listed scorer Nufoos (GB) (Zafonic), who in turn produced three black-type winners in the G1 Middle Park S. and G2 Mill Reef S. hero Awzaan (GB) (Alhaarth {Ire}), the G3 Sweet Solera S. winner Muraaqaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the Listed Sandringham H. winner and dual group 3-placed Muteela (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Also related to the G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. winner Ball Lightning (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and the GIII Will Rogers S. scorer Media Mogul (GB) (First Trump {GB}), Princess Loulou's filly by Decorated Knight (Ire) is entered in the upcoming Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale (lot 93). She also has a colt foal by Dubawi (Ire) and is carrying a full-sister to Nashwa at present.

Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR NASSAU S.-G1, £600,000, Goodwood, 7-28, 3yo/up, f/m, 9f 197yT, 2:05.77, g/f.
1–NASHWA (GB), 126, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)
     1st Dam: Princess Loulou (Ire) (SW-Eng, G1SP-Fr, GSP-Ire, $175,317), by Pivotal (GB)
     2nd Dam: Aiming (GB), by Highest Honor (Fr)
     3rd Dam: Sweeping (GB), by Indian King
O-Imad Al Sagar; B-Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Hollie Doyle. £340,260. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 6-4-0-2, $1,144,433. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Aristia (Ire), 135, f, 4, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Aloisi (GB), by Kalanisi (Ire).
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (85,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Mrs E Roberts; B-Rathasker Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £129,000.
3–Lilac Road (Ire), 135, f, 4, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Lavender Lane (Ire), by Shamardal.
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Jon and Julia Aisbitt (IRE); T-William Haggas. £64,560.
Margins: 1 3/4, HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.20, 40.00, 7.50.
Also Ran: Fonteyn (GB), Dreamloper (Ire), One For Bobby (Ire), Rogue Millennium (Ire), Concert Hall (Ire). Scratched: Ville De Grace (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Nathaniel’s Lady Bowthorpe Powers To Nassau Glory

Stopping the 3-year-old momentum in Thursday's G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Goodwood, Emma Banks's Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) swooped to conquer to end trainer William Jarvis's 27-year wait for another top-level winner. Unlucky when fourth in the G1 Falmouth S. over a mile at Newmarket last time July 9, the 10-3 shot raced with only the 9-4 joint-favourite Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) behind early as the other market-leader Joan of Arc (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was sent on by Ryan Moore. Delivered wide of that long-time leader and Zeyaadah (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) by Kieran Shoemark with a furlong remaining, the 5-year-old surged clear to dismiss any stamina fears on her first try at a mile and a quarter. At the line, the habitual strong finisher had 1 1/2 lengths to spare over Zeyaadah, with half a length back to Joan of Arc in third as Audarya proved a major disappointment. “She's a really special filly and she's done nothing but improve,” her rider commented. “It's fantastic for the whole team. She was taking a bit of a hold with me on the way down, so I could tell she was in good form. She appreciates give in the ground and while there was a question about the trip in all her previous races her last furlong has been her best. I knew when she hit the front it was going to take a good one to pass her.”

Coming to the fore when winning Ascot's G3 Valiant Fillies' S. with more than a dash of style over a mile last July, Lady Bowthorpe was sixth in the G3 Atalanta S. at Sandown the following month and in the G1 Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket in October before her winter break. Returning to annexe the nine-furlong G2 Dahlia S. back at Newmarket May 2, the bay was only 1 1/2 lengths behind Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) when runner-up in the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury May 15 before filling that spot again in the G2 Duke of Cambridge S. racing away from what appeared to be a favoured stand's rail at Royal Ascot June 16. In the Falmouth, she was caught up in traffic and forced to come around rivals before powering to the line to be just a length off Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}), prompting tears of frustration from her trainer who had been hoping to end the long wait since Grand Lodge's St James's Palace S. success in 1994.

This time, there was to be no hard-luck story as she waited for her chance to strike with Joan of Arc setting an honest pace up ahead. As Audarya failed to pick up in behind, Lady Bowthorpe had just the front two 3-year-olds to concern herself with and after they had tussled for a few strides she burned by in trademark fashion for an emphatic success. “It feels fantastic–we've dreamt about this for a long time,” Jarvis commented. “We always knew she was special and I'm so chuffed for the team at home more than anything, because they work so hard–we only have seven or eight staff. I was confident she'd stay. I was a little worried about Roger [Varian]'s filly [Zeyaadah], because she wasn't stopping but I knew we had that turn of foot. She relaxes so much better now–she's a superstar.”

“I think after she won the Dahlia Stakes that was when I, personally, thought that she should have the Nassau Stakes on her radar and we sort of worked back a little bit,” Jarvis added. “Having said that, she hasn't missed a beat–we went Dahlia, Lockinge, Royal Ascot, Newmarket, she's a very tough mare. I've been dying to run her over 10 furlongs for a long time, but events transpired against us until today. Anyway, I think she has proved that she's even better over 10 than she is at a mile. I've never lost faith in myself as a trainer. Quite a lot of other people may well have done, which is why we've only got 28 or 29 horses in the yard. However, I've got a lovely bunch of staff working for me and they've never lost faith in the way that we operate and they give me everything. We are a family unit and there is a lot of loyalty involved, including with Kieran who I am delighted for. There was a lot of pressure from outside people, saying should we do this or that or leave Oisin Murphy sitting in the weighing room, but it never really crossed out minds.”

Shadwell's Angus Gold said of the runner-up, “If you told me a year ago Zeyaadah would win a listed, a group 3 and be second in a group 1, I would have been very excited at the thought of that so I am thrilled. She will stick at that sort of trip. Jim [Crowley] didn't mention the ground. She won on bottomless, but I don't think that was for her. Jim did say she was moving beautifully.” Audarya's rider William Buick believed that the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine had an obvious excuse. “I would say that Audarya just didn't pick up on that ground,” he explained. “She won on fast ground at Royal Ascot and whilst she has run well in some big races on similar ground to today, the difference was that it is just so tacky and gluey. For me, it was the ground that was the issue today.”

Lady Bowthorpe's dam Maglietta Fina (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}), who was a smart sprint handicapper for Robert Cowell, produced Speak In Colours (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}) as her first foal and he flew the flag by winning the G2 Greenlands S., G3 Phoenix Sprint S., G3 Renaissance S. and G3 Ballycorus S. and finishing third in the G1 Prix de la Foret. Lady Bowthorpe is her second, while her third is the Listed Cooley S. third Pretty In Grey (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}). Maglietta Fina is kin to the four-times group-winning miler Tullius (Ire) (Le Vie dei Colori {GB}), who was also runner-up in the Lockinge while her pedigree also features Highly Motivated (Into Mischief) who was second to Essential Quality (Tapit) in this year's GII Blue Grass S. Her 2-year-old colt by Muhaarar (GB) is named Master of Colours (GB), while she also has a filly foal by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire).

Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR NASSAU S.-G1, £600,000, Goodwood, 7-29, 3yo/up, f/m, 9f 197yT, 2:08.94, g/s.
1–LADY BOWTHORPE (GB), 133, m, 5, by Nathaniel (Ire)
     1st Dam: Maglietta Fina (Ire), by Verglas (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Whipped Queen, by Kingmambo
     3rd Dam: Meringue Pie, by Silent Screen
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (82,000gns Ylg '17 TAOCT). O-Ms E L Banks; B-Scuderia Archi Romani (GB); T-William Jarvis; J-Kieran Shoemark. £340,260. Lifetime Record: 16-5-4-0, $763,224. *1/2 to Speak In Colours (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}), MGSW-Ire, SW-Eng, G1SP-Fr, $487,900. *1/2 to Speak In Colours (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}), MGSW-Ire, SW-Eng & G1SP-Fr, $487,900. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Zeyaadah (Ire), 124, f, 3, Tamayuz (GB)–Masaafat (GB), by Act One (GB). O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Limited (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £129,000.
3–Joan of Arc (Ire), 124, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–You'resothrilling (GSW-Eng, GSW-Ire, $219,415), by Storm Cat. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £64,560.
Margins: 1HF, HF, 2HF. Odds: 3.30, 7.00, 2.25.
Also Ran: Technique (GB), Audarya (Fr), Empress Josephine (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Audarya Primed for Nassau Bid

With the major contests going the way of the 3-year-olds so far, it is up to Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) to attempt to bring that generation back into line a touch in Thursday's G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Goodwood. Improving markedly at this stage last term, Alison Swinburn's 5-year-old captured the G1 Prix Jean Romanet on soft ground at Deauville in August, was third to Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G1 Prix de l'Opera on heavy at ParisLongchamp in October before capturing the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf on firm going at Keeneland in November. Giving Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) a scare when 3/4-of-a-length second to that luminary in the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot June 16, she sets a clear standard on that form. “Audarya ran really well at Royal Ascot and she's come out of the race in good form,” trainer James Fanshawe said.

“Six weeks is a nice gap between races when you are taking things step by step and we've had this race in mind for a while. She's got better as she's got older and she's doing everything right at home. It was fast ground at Keeneland and Royal Ascot, but she shouldn't have any problem on easier going because it was very testing last year when she won the Romanet and very soft when she ran so well in the Prix de l'Opera.”

Also flying the flag for the older fillies and mares is Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who like Audarya has gone from strength to strength since last summer and seeks a first top-level success after two fine efforts at this level in 2021. Runner-up to Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury May 15 and fourth when suffering a troubled trip in the G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket July 9, she tries this 10-furlong trip for the first time having won over nine in the May 2 G2 Dahlia S. at Newmarket. “She's grown up as a 5-year-old mare and she's much more amenable now,” trainer William Jarvis said. “As a 3 and 4-year-old, we thought she was very much a soft-ground filly but her run in both the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket and more recently in the Falmouth Stakes were on good-to-firm ground and I think she's pretty adaptable. She was very tired when she came out of the Lockinge Stakes, but we had a very good preparation between Ascot and Newmarket and she's really been pleasing me since the Falmouth.”

Aidan O'Brien puts forward two high-achieving 3-year-olds in the June 20 G1 Prix de Diane winner Joan of Arc (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Empress Josephine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who beat her stablemate in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh May 23. “We are lucky to have some great fillies and we try to keep them apart and give them their best chance by picking the races which will suit them best, but we have been aiming both of these fillies for this race,” he said. “Joan of Arc won the Prix de Diane and has been progressing lovely all season. Empress Josephine will be stepping up to a mile and a quarter. We went further with her in Gowran before she won the Guineas and then went back in trip. She's a full-sister to Minding, who got a mile and a quarter and got a mile and a half. It's possible she could leave that Gowran run behind her and get the trip, but she is a filly that's got plenty of speed.”

Shadwell's Zeyaadah (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) beat Mantonbury Stud's Technique (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) by a cosy head margin in the G3 Hoppings Fillies' S. over this trip at Newcastle June 25 and the former's trainer Roger Varian is hoping the ground continues to dry. “She'll need to step up on the Newcastle form to win a Nassau, but while she only won a head she was in command at the line there. Bar the Oaks, she's done nothing wrong in her career. There was only one winner that day and the rest were nowhere. I think she's a 10-furlong filly and I also think she's a better-ground filly now she's going up against better horses, although she's got soft-ground form. She's in good form and I think she's ready for this test.”

In the G2 Unibet Richmond S. for the 2-year-olds, Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's June 17 G2 Norfolk S. winner Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) bids to defy a penalty moving up from five to six furlongs. His defeat of Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) was made to look even better after the runner-up captured the G2 Railway S. and there is no reason on pedigree and racing style that he will not be at least as effective over this trip. “He has a three-pound penalty for his Royal Ascot win, which is always tough but the horse is in great order,” trainer Richard Fahey commented. “The ground is drying up and should be beautiful by the Richmond Stakes, possibly just on the dead side but he should handle that. I have no worries about going up to six furlongs, in fact I think he'll be better for it.” Leora Judah's Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) looks to add to Alan King's week to remember and has sound claims based on his second to Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the G2 July S. at Newmarket July 8, while Jassim bin Ali Al Attiyah's July 17 Weatherbys Super Sprint winner Gubbass (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) represents the Richard Hannon stable.

In the G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon S., the June 26 G1 Irish Derby third and July 14 G1 Grand Prix de Paris runner-up Wordsworth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) takes the next step towards a G1 St Leger bid. He is joined by stablemate Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who beat him in the 13-furlong Listed Yeats S. at Navan May 15 but has been absent since. “I don't think you can readily rule out any of these, so it's a competitive group 3, albeit one lacking a stand-out,” Wordsworth's rider Ryan Moore commented. “That said, I think my mount Wordsworth is the one to beat in here, even if Sir Lucan got the better of him the last time they met at Navan back in May. Wordsworth has clearly improved since then, being placed in group 1 company on his last two starts and his Grand Prix de Paris second last time came in testing ground.”

Ballydoyle's duo encounter stiff opposition headed by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Third Realm (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who beat Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the May 8 Listed Lingfield Derby Trial before disappointing when over 11-lengths fifth behind that peer in the June 5 G1 Epsom Derby. Also down the field in the blue riband was Ahmad Al Shaikh's May 5 G3 Chester Vase winner Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), while Godolphin's Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is another intriguing candidate having returned to form when capturing the 13-furlong G3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket July 8.

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Audarya in Good Form For Nassau

Breeders' Cup champion Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who was second in the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot in June, is doing well in advance of the July 29 G1 Qatar Nassau S. One of the highlights of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, the 10-furlong contest appears a good fit for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine.

Soviet Song (Ire) (Marju {Ire}) won the Nassau 17 years ago for Fanshawe, who said on Monday, “Audarya seems in really good form. We've had the Qatar Nassau S. in mind for a while and she's been training well since Ascot. The handicapper kept her rating at 117 after the Prince Of Wales's S., but I felt it was a really good performance. I hope she can improve again.

Added the trainer of his G1 Prix Jean Romanet victress, “She won her Group 1s at Deauville and Keeneland which are both flat tracks, but she did win a handicap at Goodwood over 1-mile as a 3-year-old where she proved she can handle the track. In terms of ground, she has run on everything. It was very testing when she won the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville and they broke the track record on firm ground when she won the Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland, she's very versatile.

“Circumstances have meant that we've had a few different jockeys ride her, but William [Buick] seemed to get on well with her in the Prince Of Wales's S. and hopefully he can ride her next Thursday.”

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