Tag: Imad Al Sagar

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.

The post Frankel’s Nashwa Too Good In The Nassau appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Seven Days: A Coronation in Chantilly

Just when you thought a fully-charged Royal Ascot couldn't be topped, along came Hollie Doyle. 

The royal meeting was sadly missing The Queen for all five days this year but, France's republican tendencies aside, there are few in the racing world who would deny that Doyle is now the queen of Chantilly after reaching yet another milestone to become the first woman to ride a Group 1 Classic winner in Europe.

Her great triumph came aboard Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for Imad Al Sagar, who was achieving an important landmark victory of his own with his first homebred Classic winner for his Blue Diamond Stud. It is now not even remarkable to see Doyle booked for top rides. She's so good at what she does, proving it day in and day out, from Group 1 showcase races to Class 6 handicaps, but there are not many of those top-class horses to go around.

For this observer, it was a punch-the-air moment when Doyle was announced as first jockey for Al Sagar three seasons ago. It felt important that a woman should be given a prominent retainership in the first place, and more symbolic that this offer was made by an Arab owner. It was an inspired and refreshing move on Al Sagar's part, and a thoroughly deserving position for Doyle. If she hadn't already, she has certainly repaid his faith in her now.

Doyle is five wins clear at the head of the jockeys' table for this calendar year. The nonsensical shortening of the jockeys' championship from the Guineas meeting to Champions Day means that a number of those 85 wins don't count, so she lies in fourth place in the 'championship', if we can call it that. Given the unwelcome publicity surrounding Oisin Murphy's behaviour and the conclusion to last year's jockeys' title, we could do with some better news in that regard, and one story that would guarantee more front-page, good-news headlines for racing would be the first female champion jockey. Doyle will get there one day, no doubt.

Al Sagar, as a breeder who has recently undertaken a significant restructuring of his two farms near Newmarket that comprise his Blue Diamond Stud operation, now finds himself in the happy position that his paddocks contain the dams of both female French Classic winners this season. As already noted in these pages, he bought Zotilla (Ire) (Zamindar), the dam of G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Mangoustine (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), later in the year that her future Classic heroine was foaled. Nashwa's dam Princess Loulou (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) was bought as a yearling. 

Frankel's Classic Touch

Nashwa was of course only the second Group 1 winner of the week for her sire Frankel and trainers John and Thady Gosden, who also had last year's leading 2-year-old filly Inspiral (GB) primed to perfection for her return in the G1 Coronation S., which was arguably the race at Ascot with the greatest depth.

Her victory was vengeance for her dam Starscope (GB) (Selkirk), who had been second in both the Coronation and the 1,000 Guineas of 2012, and Inspiral, who was the fourth generation of her family to have been bred by Cheveley Park Stud, became their fourth Coronation S. winner after Exclusive (GB), Russian Rhythm and Nannina (GB). The Thompson family's operation also enjoyed some reflected glory at Ascot as the breeder of surprise Chesham S. winner Holloway Boy (GB) and Buckingham Palace S winner Inver Park (GB), whose victories would have been all the sweeter for the fact that they are by one of the stud's resident sires, Ulysses (Ire), and the late former star of the stallion yard, Pivotal (GB).

Frankel still has some way to go to peg back Dubawi (Ire) if he is to retain his champion sire title this year, but the season is not even halfway through yet. One of the notable absentees on the quick ground at Ascot was his daughter Homeless Songs (Ire), the sensational winner of the Irish 1,000 Guineas. An eventual clash with Inspiral would be a mouth-watering prospect but, even without the filly, Moyglare Stud's 60th anniversary year continued in fine style with victory in the Gold Cup for another homebred, Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the rising star of the staying ranks. Never was a mare better named than his dam Polished Gem (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who has produced three Group 1 winners among her eight stakes winners. 

Frankel also featured as the damsire of the G3 Jersey S. winner Noble Truth (Fr), who is a son of his stud mate Kingman (GB).  It was a second major international winner for the family in less than a month as Noble Truth was bred by Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois from Speralita (Fr), an unraced sister of the six-time Group/Grade 1 winner Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), who took the Prix de Diane 13 years ago. As a broodmare Stacelita has plied her trade in Japan for Teruya Yoshida with great success, providing Frankel with his first Classic winner anywhere in the world when their daughter Soul Stirring (Jpn) won the GI Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks).

There has been further notable success for the Japanese wing of the family this season with Stars On Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who is a grand-daughter of Stacelita and won the GI Oka Sho (1,000 Guineas) on April 22 followed by the Yushun Himba on May 22. Her dam Southern Stars (Smart Strike) has a colt foal catalogued for the foal section of the JHRA Select Sale, which takes place on July 11 and 12.

Dubawi Wears the Crown

With five winners, including a one-two in the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. with Naval Crown (GB) and Creative Force (Ire), Dubawi owns all the bragging rights among the sires represented at Royal Ascot. In fact, he is presently lording it over all-comers in Europe by just about every metric with 24 stakes winners led by four individual Group 1 winners this year.

One of the latter, Coroebus (Ire), followed up his 2,000 Guineas victory with a G1 St James's Palace S. success, to cement a memorable opening day for the Maktoum family following the procession of the unbeaten Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Queen Anne S.

Dubawi's son New Bay (GB) also deserves plenty of plaudits with two group winners at the meeting. His daughter Saffron Beach (Ire) returned to the winner's enclosure in imperious fashion in the G2 Duke of Cambridge S., while her stable-mate Claymore (Ire) landed his first group-race strike in the G3 Hampton Court S. We'll be hearing more about their trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam's love of New Bay in Wednesday's TDN.

And let's not forget Dubawi's French-based son Zarak (Fr), who continues to make giant strides in the second-season sires' table. It has to be said that he looks the stand-out of this intake at this stage, with La Parisienne (Fr) going close to giving him a first-crop Classic winner in the Prix de Diane when running Nashwa to a neck. 

Admittedly Churchill was first off the mark in that regard with the very impressive Prix du Jockey Club winner Vadeni (Fr), and it was exciting to hear that this Aga Khan-bred colt is under consideration to be supplemented for the G1 Coral-Eclipse next month. But Zarak leads the way with five black-type winners, which equates to 11 per cent of his runners, and he also had Times Square (Fr) placed in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

On With The Show

The sole appearance of Showcasing (GB) at Royal Ascot ended in ignominious defeat when he trailed in last of the 24 runners for the G1 Golden Jubilee S. But he has fared much better as a sire, notably with two G1 Commonwealth Cup winners in Quiet Reflection (GB) and Advertise (GB), while Soldier's Call (GB) won the Windsor Castle S. of 2018, and Tasleet (GB) and Cappella Sansevero (GB) finished runner-up in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. and G2 Coventry S. respectively.

Showcasing was represented again this year by the smart G2 Queen Mary S. winner Dramatised (Ire), who provided a first major homebred success for Steve Parkin's Branton Court Stud. By that stage, the aforementioned Shadwell stallion Tasleet, whose first crop are now juveniles, was given a major boost by the G2 Coventry S. win of his son Bradsell (GB), who was sold as a breezer by Mark Grant to Tom Biggs and Archie Watson for £47,000, and presumably for many multiples of that after scorching to his nine-length maiden win on York's Knavesmire exactly a month after his appearance at Goffs UK.

Bradsell, bred by Deborah O'Brien, was one of two runners at Royal Ascot for the Bahrain-based Victorious Racing, the other being the Windsor Castle S. runner-up Rocket Rodney (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}). He too had been purchased after an impressive novice win, this time at Goodwood for George Scott.

Whitsbury Manor Stud, which has stood Showcasing for his entire 12-season stud career to date, will have taken plenty of encouragement from the results of the royal meeting. Not only did they breed Tasleet before selling him to Sheikh Hamdan, but another of their own young sires featured prominently among the juvenile races. 

Havana Grey (GB) is currently romping away with 18 winners from his first crop and is seven clear of his nearest pursuer in that category, Sioux Nation. Though he is yet to join Tasleet and James Garfield (Ire) with a stakes winner, Havana Grey does have four black-type horses to his name, with Maylandsea (GB) having finished second in Queen Mary and Eddie's Boy (GB) third in the Windsor Castle.

There was further success for Showcasing at Chantilly on Sunday where Nurlan Bizakov's Sumbe homebred Belbek (Fr) landed the G3 Prix du Bois.

An Ascot for Everyone

As much as Royal Ascot represents some of the elite of European racing, the addition of handicaps in the first year of Covid has increased the potential for participation for owners and trainers, and the results reflected a broad spectrum of yards of all sizes.

George Boughey has been the up-and-coming name for the last couple of seasons and, with a Classic winner under his belt, he can now be considered to have truly arrived. His string is far from small on Newmarket Heath these days and he once again illustrated how adept he is in getting a great tune out of horses bought in training, usually in tandem with his great friend and ally Sam Haggas of Hurworth Bloodstock. Together they bought the Golden Gates H. winner Missed The Cut (Quality Road) for 40,000gns in February and, now with three wins from four runs under his belt, the 3-year-old looks a promising individual who had been an expensive foal purchase for Shadwell in America. 

Similar comments apply to Inver Park (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), who was already a decent dual winner for Mick Quinn when sold last October at Goffs UK for £35,000. He too has found a winning groove this spring, with his Buckingham Palace S. win being his third on the bounce. 

While Hollie Doyle is usually riding against her husband Tom Marquand, Hayley Turner is in the more agreeable position of riding for her partner Harry Eustace, the second-season trainer who bagged a Royal Ascot winner with his first ever runner at the meeting. Hopefully the much celebrated success of Latin Lover (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the Palace of Holyroodhouse H. will put Eustace's name on the radar of more owners as he is currently enjoying a fantastic season on a strike-rate of 24 per cent winners to runners. 

It's true then. The louder you shout the faster they run. Latin Lover wins the last at Ascot on Day 4. #scenes pic.twitter.com/6bCiDsj3wj

— Harry Eustace (@H_Eustace) June 18, 2022

Huge credit must also go to Dave Evans for brining Rohaan (GB) (Mayson {GB}) back to Ascot in great shape to claim his second successive Wokingham S.

It was pleasing to hear the 4-year-old's co-owner Chris Kiely get his priorities right when saying after the race, “I've had two kids and got married, but this is the best moment of my life.” Let's just hope his wife and children weren't listening in.

Jane Chapple-Hyam put all her fellow trainers in the shade, however, when bringing three horses to the royal meeting and waltzing home with two group wins and a runner-up in the Royal Hunt Cup. As already mentioned, we will be reflecting more on the success of her Abington Place stable tomorrow.

A Royal Nod For Tattersalls

There's always plenty to take in during Ascot week so you may have missed the announcement of a small adjustment to the Tattersalls December Mare Sale. The four-day auction which follows hard on the heels of a day of yearlings and four days of foal sales at Park Paddocks will now feature a specifically labelled 'Sceptre Session' which takes its name from the star filly of the early 1900s and a former Tattersalls sale record-breaker.

To a degree, the Tuesday evening of the mare sale, when this select session of high-class broodmares and breeding prospects is set to take place, is already one of the high points in the sales calendar when it comes to drama. Quite frankly, if you're a bloodstock aficionado and you weren't playing your part in the mass game of Sardines in the Tatts ring when the likes of Dancing Rain (Ire) and Marsha (Ire) sold for millions, then where were you? 

Having up to 75 of the highest-profile offerings clearly labelled in one select session within a session makes a lot of sense, though it will make for an even more fraught couple of hours than usual for the weary bloodstock journalists on the hunt for quotes. A timely reminder to start getting into training for the sales season.

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History For Hollie Doyle As Frankel’s Nashwa Wins The Diane

If riding Classic winners came down to sheer ability alone, there was never a question that Hollie Doyle would achieve the landmark sometime soon but even the best need the horse to get it done and on Sunday she had just that as Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) conquered Chantilly's G1 Prix de Diane Longines. So good by this point, Doyle has almost transcended the subject of female jockeys winning Europe's monuments but it still had to happen and in Imad Al Sagar's TDN Rising Star she had the ideal portal to the promised land. Sent off the 3-1 favourite with the deadly combination of the best form, having been third in the Oaks 13 days earlier, and a perfect inside berth, the bay was caught in front from the break with no takers for the pace-setting role. Tending to race a touch free as a result, the question was what would the Gosdens' raider have for the finish when taking command just over 300 metres from the line. Despite the attack of Peter Bradley and the Lerners' La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), there was always something in the tank and the prevailing margin was a short neck, with 4 1/2 lengths back to Rosacea (Ire) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) in third.

“I haven't got the words to explain how I feel–I am privileged to be in the position I am in,” she said. “She's very good, as things didn't pan out how I wanted but she has plenty of class and responded to pressure. She's a star. It's such a prestigious race and this is a huge honour.” John Gosden said of the winning jockey, “She's a very talented rider with great character. The race was a muddle and we didn't intend to be on the front, but it came out well. This is the filly's distance–the Oaks was too far.”

Nashwa debuted in the seven-furlong Newmarket novice in October dominated by the classy Haggas runner Golden Lyra (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and ran the kind of race full of promise expected of a future Oaks winner, before earning TDN Rising Star status with a 6 1/2-length romp on her comeback at a mile at Haydock Apr. 23. Prepping for her Classic in Newbury's Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. over a mile and a quarter May 14, she continued to excite with a smooth win from Stay Alert (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) who in a twist of fate would go on to beat Golden Lyra in the Listed Abingdon S. next time. Epsom-bound despite initial talk of coming here, Nashwa gave a solid display to follow home Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) over a trip that stretched her on a track that also looked to have compromised her, but this was the kind of quick turnaround for which Gosden Sr is not renowned.

Helped by being handed a golden draw in two, with the 5-1 second favourite Agave (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) on her inside, Nashwa was sent forward from the break to take full advantage but ended up exposed in the front line until Ioritz Mendizabal crossed over on Tariyana (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). With that filly providing only brief cover, Doyle was committed to staying at the fore matching strides with Olivier Peslier on Agave and they straightened for home together prepared for what seemed to be a private match. By the time they passed the 300-metre marker, the Juddmonte filly was beginning to back out of the fight and it was Gerald Mosse and La Parisienne who emerged from behind as the biggest threat. Having been smuggled up the rail, the 22-1 shot looked to have been delivered with perfect timing but Nashwa gave generously to keep her at bay and provide her rider with the milestone victory. There was a moment of great sportsmanship and kinship after the line, with the veteran maestro Mosse demonstrating his class and confirming why he is widely held with such distinction in racing by congratulating his ground-breaking young jockey rival.

“I've got a lot of people to thank,” Doyle said. “Without Imad Al Sagar I don't know if I would ever have been in the position to get an opportunity like this. These types of horses are hard to come upon and I'm only 25, so it's relatively early on in my career and I feel pretty lucky. I felt very vulnerable at the two-furlong pole, I'm not going to lie. It was a muddling race and I felt beforehand someone would be a bit more decisive pace-wise than they were. I didn't really want to be where I was, but she was very relaxed and happy to be one off the rail with a bit of company either side. She's versatile and responsive when needs be. When the second horse came to my girths she really dug deep, which was great to see. I think she could be even better next year.”

“If you'd said to me three years ago that I would be riding in a Classic for Mr Gosden I'd have laughed,” she added. “To be in this position is incredible and when you ride at this level, the trainer has done all they can and the owner has put you in position, so it's down to me on the day. I just expect a lot from myself and I don't want to let people down. You have to prepare yourself to be at your best when given the opportunity and that's what I try and do.”

John Gosden continued his praise of the rider and said, “The owner-breeder Imad Al Sagar said to me two or three years ago that he had two or three jockeys he was looking at and wanted to retain a jockey. He showed me the list and I said 'Hollie Doyle', and I know other people would back me on that. She's hugely talented and horses run for her. She's incredibly meticulous and hard-working and she analyses things properly. The race didn't work out how we thought, but we did have the Plan B to stay forward if that occurred and she's shown herself as a class rider and the filly is a class filly who was beautifully ridden. I am proud and Thady is extremely proud, because it's the youth team teaming up again. It's quite obvious that I'll be surplus to requirements quite soon with the youthful Thady and Hollie!”

Of Nashwa's immediate target, he added, “I think she'll have a freshen up. She's run in two Oaks, which is tough, but she seemed remarkably calm after the race and was having a very natural, normal blow. Star of Seville won this a few days after the Oaks, but she didn't have a hard race there as she was stopped three out and just hacked home. One race that stands out is the Prix de l'Opera and I think if we make that our big target and come back from there, that would be the way to play it. I think she definitely deserves a freshen up and a summer holiday now.”

The €65,000 Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale graduate La Parisienne had looked one of the better outsiders, having won impressively at Deauville and Saint-Cloud before finding only Hidden Dimples (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) too strong in the 11-furlong Listed Prix de la Seine. Bought into by the Kentucky-based Peter Bradley earlier this year, she has provided handsome reward for that 70% investment with Marc Leonetti, JML Racing, Meridian International and Remy Dupuy-Naulot also involved. The original plan had been to send her to Chad Brown this year, but there was no decision immediately after Sunday's race, just mass celebration of playing such a key role in the Classic.

Yann Lerner was overcome with emotion at the performance of the runner-up and said, “It is almost a victory and to participate in such races with a chance is what we dream about all the time. She had a perfect trip, she came out in time to win it but the winner was too good.” Yann's father Carlos added, “We have always like this filly, who was bred at Haras du Cadran by my long-time friend Pierre Talcard. He had recommended me to buy her at the yearling sales and I did well to follow his advice.” Gerard Larrieu, representing Rosacea's owner Haras de la Perelle, commented, “She ran a great race and Christophe Soumillon was very happy with her effort. She finished strongly, showed her usual turn of foot but with the bad draw she was left with too much to do.”

Nashwa, who is the eighth Classic winner for her sire, is the third foal out of the Listed Gillies Fillies' S. winner and G1 Prix Jean Romanet runner-up Princess Loulou (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). 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 here. 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 yearling filly is by Decorated Knight (Ire) while she also has a colt foal by Dubawi (Ire).

Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX DE DIANE LONGINES-G1, €1,000,000, Chantilly, 6-19, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT, 2:06.63, g/s.
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
1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. TDN Rising Star. O-Imad Al Sagar; B-Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Hollie Doyle. €571,400. Lifetime Record: SW & G1SP-Eng, 5-3-0-2, €696,538. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–La Parisienne (Fr), 126, f, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Skysweeper (Fr), by Hurricane Run (Ire).
1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. (€65,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Peter R Bradley III, Marc Leonetti, Ecurie JML Racing, Meridian International SARL & Remy Dupuy-Naulot; B-Ecurie Haras du Cadran, Ecurie Patrick Klein & SCEA Haras du Ma (FR); T-Carlos & Yann Lerner. €228,600.
3–Rosacea (Ire), 126, f, 3, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Relizane (GB), by Zamindar.
1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O/B-Haras de la Perelle (IRE); T-Stephane Wattel. €114,300.
Margins: SNK, 4HF, 3/4. Odds: 3.00, 22.00, 10.00.
Also Ran: Agave (GB), Fall In Love (Ire), Daisy Maisy (GB), Zellie (Fr), Tariyana (Fr), Beaute Cachee (Fr), Place du Carrousel (Ire), Babala (Ire), Toy (Ire), Times Square (Fr), Queen Trezy (Fr), Yukata (Ire), Nadette (Fr), Galla (Fr). Scratched: Ottilien (Fr). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Epsom Beckons Once More For Al Sagar

It is 15 years since Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) streaked down the hill at Epsom to give Frankie Dettori his first win in the Derby. For the colt's owners Imad Al Sagar and Saleh Al Homaizi it was also a first Derby victory, but it was their second Classic winner in as many years as Araafa (Ire) (Mull Of Kintyre {Ire})) had landed the previous season's Irish 2,000 Guineas before going on to win the St James's Palace S.

Such success at the highest level for the duo who had previously been champion owners in their native Kuwait then kindled an interest in breeding which led to the purchase of two farms on the outskirts of Newmarket. Together they would become known as Blue Diamond Stud.

Now solely under the ownership of Imad Al Sagar, the stud is a thriving concern, with 40 broodmares in its paddocks and more than 20 horses in training in Britain, predominantly homebreds, with John and Thady Gosden, Roger Varian, Clive Cox, Roger Charlton, Archie Watson, and Andrew Balding. The fruits of the Blue Diamond team's labours, in the paddocks and at the sales grounds over the years, are being enjoyed especially this season, most notably in the prospect of another Classic contender, this time in the Oaks.

Nashwa (GB), a daughter of Frankel (GB) and the former Blue Diamond Stud colour-bearer Princess Loulou (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), trained by John and Thady Gosden, was this week confirmed as being on course for Epsom. This followed some deliberation between remaining in England or heading to France for the shorter option of the Prix de Diane.

“Winning the Derby was incredibly special,” says Al Sagar. “It was a dream come true and it is a very exciting time now, with history repeating itself in a way, to be able to go to Epsom with another Classic contender.”

The breeder admits that choosing between Epsom and Chantilly was not easy, particularly as Nashwa's own stable contains the current Oaks favourite Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). But Nashwa, whose dam, purchased as a yearling by Tony Nerses, won a 10-furlong Listed contest in testing conditions and was runner-up in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet, has given Al Sagar cause for optimism.  Her most recent win, and her second of the year, came over 10 furlongs in the Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial at Newbury, and he points to another facet of the filly which may help her in the Oaks.

He says, “She is improving and the progress she has made from two to three is enormous. Especially in the the last two months she has really flourished. She has become a lot stronger physically and mentally.

“We agreed to have an open mind; it was a difficult decision. Nashwa has not yet run over a mile and a half. The filly has abundant speed as she showed over a mile at Haydock. But pedigree-wise, I know the family, and Frankel throws horses who compete over all kinds of distances. She is the type of filly who relaxes very well. She has a great temperament and she switches off in her races.”

Al Sagar adds, “We are not sure, of course. But she's laidback and also she has a very good turn of foot, so these things I think will help her to get a mile and a half.

“It is a nice problem to have. I hope all our problems are like this.”

Thus far it has been a season with problems mostly far from his mind. In some ways, Al Sagar has already celebrated a Classic winner, even if it was at a slight remove. Back in 2019 at Arqana he bought Zotilla (Ire) from Ecurie des Monceaux for €75,000. Her Dark Angel (Ire) filly foal born earlier that year was subsequently retained by Monceaux and its partners after failing to reach her reserve at the yearling sales, and last Sunday, as Mangoustine (Fr), she won the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

“I bought Mangoustine's dam Zotilla and Manasarova, the dam of Sicilian Defense (GB) on the same day and then both of them had runners in the French Guineas,” he notes. “Sicilian Defense actually ran a very good race when she was short of room.”

Blue Diamond Stud is also home to the well-related Tisa River (Ire) (Equiano {Fr}), purchased in 2020 when her family had come to life through her consecutive Breeders' Cup-winning half-siblings Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}) and Order Of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}). The pedigree was subsequently enhanced by another sibling, Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), the winner last season of the GI Belmont Oaks and GI Beverly D S. 

Tisa River is currently in foal to Frankel, as is Princess Loulou, carrying a full-sibling to Nashwa. Meanwhile Zotilla is in foal to Dubawi (Ire) with a Too Darn Hot (GB) filly foal at foot.

Queen of the paddocks, however, is Pearling (Storm Cat), the sister to Giant's Causeway and Coolmore blue hen You'resothrilling. She gave Blue Diamond Stud its first homebred Group 1 winner when her son Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) won the Jebel Hatta at Meydan and then followed up with victories in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and Irish Champion S. for Roger Charlton during a glorious 2017 season.

Decorated Knight, a close relative to the high-achieving Classic family of Gleneagles (Ire), Marvellous (Ire) and Happily (Ire), is now a resident of the Irish National Stud and has been well supported by his co-owner/breeder.

Al Sagar may yet also have an interest of sorts in this year's Derby field, as still engaged at this stage is Masekela (Ire), whom he pinhooked as a foal after he had admired Masekela's sire El Kabeir at Yeomanstown Stud. The pinhook project just about broke even, but more important was the vindication in Al Sagar's judgement when Masekela won on debut, finished runner-up in the G2 Superlative S.–beaten a short-head by Native Trail (GB), no less–and then subsequently landed the Listed Denford S. for Andrew Balding and owners Mick and Janice Mariscotti.

Al Sagar's main focus, however, is on his burgeoning breeding operation. At the end of 2018 he and Al Homaizi went their separate ways, with much of the stock being offered at auction to dissolve their partnership. Al Sagar bought back a number of the mares, including Pearling, and earlier this year he announced a major restructuring of the Blue Diamond Stud team. Lord Grimthorpe was appointed as racing manager, with Ted Voute becoming chief executive officer, Gerry Meehan announced as yearling manager and Nancy Sexton as bloodstock and media advisor.

“I think Blue Diamond deserved the time and investment and I decided that restructuring was very important for the future of the stud,” he says. “I am very much comfortable with my team and we have started to see very positive results on the ground which I hope will help us to achieve our future goals.”

Al Sagar visits the Newmarket farms, spread across 330 acres, as often as he can from his home in Kuwait, and he likes to be hands-on when it comes to matings.

“I very much enjoy it, especially over the last six or seven years,” he says. “When we first started breeding horses in 2007 we made many mistakes, but I am happy we did it because we learned a lot from it and now we can see things are moving forward with the progeny. With breeding you don't know what you will get, so now our strategy is to upgrade the quality of mares. Broodmares are the foundation for any farm and our strategy is to improve the quality and to have a wide spectrum of bloodlines, such as Scat Daddy, what is remaining of the Roberto line, Blushing Groom line. It is these things that we are focusing on to improve our progeny.”

The owner took some by surprise when announcing Hollie Doyle as his retained jockey in 2020. She remains in that position, with Martin Dwyer as second jockey. The arrangement has already been a successful one, with Doyle having ridden not just Nashwa, but also Nazanin (GB), Majestic Noor (GB) and Extra Elusive (GB) to stakes victories in the green and silver silks of Blue Diamond Stud.

“Things have changed,” says Al Sagar on the topic of retaining a woman as principal rider. “It wasn't an easy decision, but in my opinion Hollie ticks all the boxes as a jockey. I do believe that the gender shouldn't be an obstacle to being a good jockey. Hollie has the brain, has the strength, has the courage, and this is what you need in a jockey. This is now the third year and we are extremely happy.”

Should Doyle become the first woman to ride a British Classic winner when she partners Nashwa in the Oaks, it would doubtless be a moment in which horseracing makes the front pages of the national newspapers for all the right reasons. It would not only be a well deserved success for one of the outstanding jockeys of her generation, but also for the man who has invested passion and thought along with considerable financial reserves into breeding a filly worthy of her place in the field. 

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