Nassau Stakes Runners - Emily Upjohn Supplemented to Leave Dozen in Thursday Highlight

The final of the three Group 1s to be run during Glorious Goodwood, the Nassau Stakes has received 12 confirmations six days out from the race on Thursday, 1st August. The race is run over 1m2f, is exclusive to fillies and mares, and sees some of the top class runners from the Classic generation take on their elders for the first time in this division.

Aidan O’Brien is without a win in the race since 2017 and trails the all-time leader in the race, the late, great Sir Henry Cecil, by four with his quartet of wins in it so far. However, he may boast an excellent chance with the three-year-old Opera Singer, who has been placed in both her Group 1 starts over 1m this term. Stepping up in distance looks likely to suit her on pedigree.

A number of other fillies will seek to represent the younger age group. 1,000 Guineas heroine Elmalka is among them having finished behind Opera Singer at Royal Ascot, while Prix de Diane winner Sparkling Plenty may well come across from France for the challenge. See The Fire and Purple Lily are also aged three and are potentially progressive fillies.

The chief dangers among the older brigade look set to emerge from the Gosdens’ yard. Multiple Group 1 winner Inspiral has been a mainstay at the top of the game over the last few seasons. Their star has had a difficult start to 2024, but has won four of the five Group 1s she has competed in against fillies and mares only. 

However, the Gosdens have also supplemented Emily Upjohn for the race. She is a two-time top level scorer and was only narrowly denied in the Pretty Polly Stakes last time out. The yard also won this in 2022 with Nashwa.

Royal Ascot winner Doha is another to be supplemented for the race. She joins Lady Boba in the race for Ralph Beckett, with the other British representatives being former Group 1 runner-up Stay Alert and course winner Novus for Gary & Josh Moore. Joseph O’Brien joins his dad with a runner in the race too in the shape of Lumiere Rock.

Nassau Stakes 2024 Runners