Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1)

JOHN and Thady Gosden’s Nashwa gave Hollie Doyle a first classic winner when taking the Prix de Diane at Chantilly last month, and she cemented that success by beating her elders in the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes.

Doyle astutely changed tactics due to a wide draw and swept down the outside of the field to claim to a one-and-three-quarter-length success over outsider Aristia (Richard Hannon/Sean Levey), with Lilac Road (William Haggas/Tom Marquand) beaten two and a quarter lengths in third after hitting trouble in running.

Doyle had ridden Nashwa prominently from an inside draw in France but decided to take back from stall nine on the 6/5 favourite here, and by keeping wider than her rivals, she avoided trouble, and enabled her filly to utilise her impressive stride.

One or two of her rivals underperformed, with the third unable to open up until late in the day, and Prix d’Ispahan winner Dreamloper disappointing having been able to dictate, although the free-going Fonteyn may have kept the leader doing a little more than she wanted at a trip which is just beyond her best.

Fonteyn ran remarkably well as she raced fiercely and didn’t really handle the track, finishing fourth a fine result in the circumstances.

John Gosden pretty much confirmed that Nashwa will stay in training next year and he paid tribute to her and the winning rider.

Grand filly

“She has won with a bit in hand, but she is a grand filly who is improving all the time,” he said. “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.”