Tag Archive for: Nashwa

Nashwa handed Prix Corrida target

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Nashwa is being prepared for a trip to France later this month after connections opted to sidestep the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Stakes at York on Thursday.

The dual Group One-winning filly has been slow to come to hand this term and will make a belated reappearance in the Prix Corrida, a Group Two contest over an extended 10 furlongs at Saint-Cloud on May 28.

As a three-year-old she finished a close-up third in the Oaks, before gaining compensation in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly.

Under regular rider Hollie Doyle, the John and Thady Gosden-trained daughter of Frankel then earned a second top-class success in the Nassau at Goodwood.

She fell agonisingly short when beaten by Place Du Carrousel in the Prix de l’Opera at ParisLongchamp and had to settle for fourth behind Oaks victor Tuesday in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland.

Owned by Imad Al Sagar, Nashwa holds Group One entries in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Pretty Polly at the Curragh and in the Eclipse.

However, Al Sagar’s racing manager, Lord Grimthorpe, explained much will depend on how she fares on her seasonal bow.

“She just hasn’t quite come,” he said. “She worked nicely on Saturday morning and I think we will probably try to head for the Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud at the end of the month.

“Obviously, that will give us a good guide as to where we’re at and if she looks good enough and is in good enough form, I’m sure Imad would like to go to the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.”

Nashwa set to return at York next month

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York’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes is the likely starting point for Nashwa when she returns to the track for her four-year-old campaign.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the daughter of Frankel proved to be a high-class filly last season, winning the French Oaks at Chantilly before securing more Group One honours at a mile and a quarter in the Nassau Stakes.

She finished her Classic season by going down on her shield in both the Prix de l’Opera and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, but will bid to regain the winning thread on the Knavesmire on May 18 providing conditions are suitable.

Nashwa, jockey Hollie Doyle and owner Imad Al Sagar after winning the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood
Nashwa, jockey Hollie Doyle and owner Imad Al Sagar after winning the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood (Matt Alexander/PA)

“She stays in training and has wintered well,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for Nashwa’s owner Imad Al Sagar.

“She hasn’t done much and probably at this stage we’re aiming at the Middleton at York and then we would see how we go from there.

“The mile and a quarter races would be her initial targets anyway I would imagine, but I suppose if the ground came up very soft for some reason at York and if the ground was all right at Newbury she might divert to the Lockinge (May 20). At the moment though, the plan is to look at the Middleton and Imad is happy with that plan.”

Plans will remain fluid for Nashwa throughout the campaign where she has the option of taking on the colts and geldings in some of the top-level 10 furlong contests, but also has plenty of possibilities amongst her own sex including the Prix Jean Romanet and a return to Goodwood to defend her Nassau crown.

“There’s the Prince Of Wales’s, Eclipse and Juddmonte if you are being really brave,” Grimthorpe continued.

“Otherwise there are nice races in Deauville and all those nice fillies races all around the Nassau which she won last year as well, so there is a good programme for her.”