Nashwa Rallies Under Hollie Doyle to Win Nassau

Nashwa (GB), ridden by Hollie Doyle, showed a fine turn of foot to come from well off the pace to justify favoritism and land the Qatar Nassau Stakes (G1) at Goodwood Racecourse July 28. Ridden aggressively by Doyle to land the Prix de Diane Longines (G1) on her previous start June 19, Nashwa was given a far more patient ride on this occasion and had to pass all seven of her rivals to land a second success at the highest level. Despite coming from the back, Nashwa was always traveling comfortably and hit the line strongly to defeat 40-1 chance Aristia (IRE) in second, with Lilac Road (IRE) at 15-2 back in third. Trained by John and Thady Gosden and owned and bred by Imad Alsagar, Nashwa took her lifetime record to four wins from six starts, with her two defeats coming when third on debut last year and when filling the same position in the Cazoo Oaks (G1) at Epsom in June. Doyle, who also won Goodwood's next race on Prairie Falcon (GB), the Jaeger-lecoultre Nursery Handicap Stakes to complete a double on the day, said: "It was pretty awesome and she gave me some feel. It was a change of tactics today from France, but it paid off and I can't fault her. "I came down the hill with a double handful and she travels very well, but she does actually take a while to get into that top gear. I just tried to keep her balanced coming down the hill and she hit the line strong. "This is her perfect trip and she's push button to ride. She's a horse of a lifetime." Joint-trainer John Gosden, winning the Nassau for a fifth time, thought more pace in the race would have better suited the winner, who will continue to race against her own sex for the time being. "We were drawn nine and didn't want to get caught on the outside with daylight," said Gosden. "What they've done is clever in front, they suddenly pulled the pace up, so coming from last made it tougher, but she's got the class and got there. "She won with a bit in hand and I think next time we might have to put a pacemaker in. She's talented and will probably stay against the fillies in the Prix de l'Opera (G1) and that kind of thing. I don't think we want to be rushing off taking on colts this year. She's a grand filly and developing all the time. "Hollie is a star with an incredible work ethic. As a rider she's very savvy and strong. She has great balance and the most wonderful personality." Aristia, half a length behind Lilac Road in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Stakes (G2) at York earlier in the season, reversed that form to finish second, but gamble of the race Concert Hall (IRE) faded badly to finish last. Ville de Grace (GB) refused to go into the stalls and was withdrawn at the start.