Nashwa lands Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood Festival

Jockey Hollie Doyle led Nashwa to second Group One success with a dominant performance in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Qatar Goodwood Festival Thursday.
The easy win confirmed Nashwa (Frankel – Princess Loulou) as one of the best fillies of her generation for her owner-breeder Imad Al Sagar as Doyle became the first female jockey to win the 10-furlong showpiece.
HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar Olympic Committee President, crowned the winners of the Qatar Nassau Stakes. The five-day Goodwood Festival taking place in United Kingdom is sponsored by
QREC.
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 length-and-three-quarter success. Aristia (Starspangledbanner) posted a career-best in second, with Lilac Road (Mastercraftsman) 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.
“We were drawn nine and we didn't want to get caught on the outside with daylight,” said Gosden after the race. “We have relaxed in last and what they've done is suddenly pull the pace up … 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. 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,” he added.
Hollie Doyle, who became the first woman to ride the winner of the Goodwood feature, said: It's pretty awesome. She gave me some feel then. We were drawn badly today, I rode her aggressively in France as we had a good draw so I wanted to hold my position. Today, in between her work from her previous run she knows what she is doing her, so I didn't want to light her up and ride her from a pace angle, so Mr Gosden told me to ride her that way today.”
She added: "I came down the hill with a double handful and 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 (10 furlongs). 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. It's unreal, Nashwa is a horse of a lifetime and if it wasn't for Imad Al Sagar (owner) giving me this opportunity, I might not have enjoyed days like this."
Winning owner Imad Al Sagar said: “Nashwa is a homebred and I must admit that I am very emotional when it comes to her … 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.”
The third day of the Qatar Goodwood was also attended by ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United Kingdom HE Fahad bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, QREC Chairman HE Issa Bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi, Vice Chairman of QREC and Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation Hamad Bin Abdulrahman al-Attiya, CEO of Qatar Media Corporation HE Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Thani bin Khalid al-Thani, QREC Board Member and Al Shaqab Executive Director Khalifa Bin Mohammed al-Attiyah, QREC Board Member Ahmad Bin Mohamed Alabdulmalik, QREC Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi and QREC Chairman Office and Manager of QREC Marketing Department Hesham Mohammed al-Ali.
The echoes of the events of the first two days of the five-day Festival, have been very high hailed given their outstanding success in terms of both organisation and top-quality racing as well as the large-scale participation of many stars, especially with the increasing attendance of racegoer. The Qatari success on the second day has added to resounding success with Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Lady Princess landing the Gr1 PA Qatar International Stakes for the second year in a row. The small-sized but mighty six-year-old mare kept the coveted title for Qatar for the fourth straight year, cementing Qatar’s standing as the world’s leader in Arabian racing.