The Nassau Stakes
One of the finest races for fillies and mares in European racing
The Nassau Stakes is one of the premier Group 1 races for fillies and mares in European flat racing. Run over one mile and two furlongs at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, typically on the Thursday of race week, it consistently attracts the best middle-distance females in training and has produced some of the most memorable performances seen on the Sussex Downs.
The race is named after the Nassau family, from whom the Dukes of Richmond are descended. It was first run in 1840, making it one of the oldest surviving flat races in Britain. For much of its history, the Nassau Stakes was a race of secondary importance, but its elevation to Group 1 status and the increase in prize money have transformed it into one of the defining contests of the summer season.
The roll of honour of Nassau Stakes winners reads like a list of the finest racemares of the modern era. Enable, the triple Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, won the Nassau in 2019. Taghrooda, Midday, Ouija Board and other champions have graced the winner's enclosure. The race has a particular significance for connections because it comes at a point in the season when the best fillies and mares are approaching peak fitness, and a victory at Goodwood often signals that a horse is capable of competing at the highest level in the autumn.
The course configuration for the Nassau Stakes suits the type of horse that is well balanced, scopey and able to handle undulations. The one-mile-two-furlong trip takes the field around the sweeping right-handed bends of the Goodwood circuit, with the ground rising and falling through the race. Jockeyship is important, as the pace can vary significantly and the ability to position a horse to deliver a challenge in the final two furlongs often determines the outcome.
The Thursday of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, when the Nassau is traditionally run, has the reputation of being the most serious racing day of the week. The crowds on Thursday tend to be more knowledgeable and less social than on some other days, and the atmosphere in the grandstands reflects the quality of the card. The Nassau is typically the feature race on a programme that also includes competitive handicaps and conditions races.
Betting on the Nassau Stakes is often concentrated on a small number of fancied runners, as the Group 1 status ensures that only the best fillies and mares are entered. This can make it a difficult race for punters seeking value, but the quality of the contest and the strength of the form make it one of the most reliable races of the meeting for identifying future champions.
The Nassau Stakes encapsulates what makes Goodwood special as a racecourse. The combination of a prestigious race, a beautiful setting and an atmosphere that balances sporting intensity with summer relaxation creates an experience that is not easily replicated at other venues. For those who love flat racing, the Nassau Stakes on a warm July Thursday, with the Downs stretching away in every direction and the finest mares in Europe battling to the line, is one of the great moments of the sporting year.