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Sultanina Shines In Nassau

Sultanina cut down French filly Narniyn to give John Gosden a hat-trick of victories in the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

William Buick lands Group One success
William Buick lands Group One success Picture: Racing and Sports

William Buick's mount stormed past the 7-4 favourite inside the last 100 yards to claim the Group One honours by a length and a half, with Irish challenger Venus De Milo in third.

Sultanina (11-2) was stepping down in trip after losing her 100 per cent record in the Lancashire Oaks last time, when second to stablemate Pomology.

Venus De Milo made the running under Joseph O'Brien and had Lustrous for company after half a mile, but Narniyn made what looked like a winning move when creeping up on the far rail to hit the front over a furlong out.

However, she had no answer to the late thrust of the lightly raced Sultanina, who asserted her authority with a useful turn of foot.

Buick said: "I'm absolutely delighted for everyone - it's fantastic. This filly has really stepped up to the plate. It was only the fourth run of her life, so it was a good training performance. We've always held her in high regard, but no-one as high as her owner."

The Nassau is a race Gosden has dominated recently, winning with The Fugue in 2012 and Winsili last year.

The trainer said: "It's special. The Fugue would have come here and this filly is what you could call a supersub.

"It's lovely. The Aga Khan's filly (Narniyn) is a really good filly to come over and is a tough nut to break. The last furlong and a half was a right duel between the pair.

"This filly is very classy and Philippa (Cooper, of owner-breeders Normandie Stud) bred her down the road, just 11 miles from here, and she always told me this filly was the best and I could never work it out.

"I didn't run her until this year as a four-year-old. She's gone and won a maiden, a Group Three, second in a Group Two and now won a Group One, so it's unbelievable.

"We're going to enter her on Tuesday in the fillies' and mares' race on Qipco Champions Day in October. I might just freshen her for that and go straight there and bring a fresh filly for the autumn."

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said of the runner-up: "I think the ground was too fast for her, she was changing her legs. She did well but she has the capacity to do better. Her next race will be the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in three weeks."

Venus De Milo is now likely to head to York later this month.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "It was a solid run but she'd prefer going further and she was a little bit at sea on the track as well. She wants to be racing so I'd say she will go for the Yorkshire Oaks. York will suit her better."


At The Races

Goodwood Saturday, 02nd August 2014

1m1f191y TURF GOOD FIRM
GBP £200,000

Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes (British Champions Series) (Fillies' Group 1) (G1)

GBP £200,000
Age: 3yo and up Sex: F Type: OPEN
1m1f191y TURF GOOD FIRM
FP Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 3. SULTANINA (GB) 4yo M
NEW APPROACH (IRE) - SOFT CENTRE (GB)
WILLIAM BUICK
JOHN GOSDEN
$6.5
133lbs
NORMANDIE STUD LIMITED

Sales Information

2nd 2. NARNIYN (IRE) 4yo M
DUBAWI (IRE) - NARMINA (IRE)
C SOUMILLON
ALAIN DE ROYER DUPRE
$2.75
133lbs
H H AGA KHAN
3rd 4. VENUS DE MILO (IRE) 4yo M
DUKE OF MARMALADE (IRE) - INCHMAHOME (GB)
JOSEPH O'BRIEN
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$3.5
133lbs
MRS JOHN MAGNIER,MR M TABOR & MR D SMI

Sales Information

4th 6. EASTERN BELLE (GB) 3yo F
CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) - FLECHE D'OR (GB)
JIMMY FORTUNE
JOHN GOSDEN
$17
124lbs
5th 7. LUSTROUS (GB) 3yo F
CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) - TAMZIN (GB)
RICHARD HUGHES
RICHARD HANNON JR
$17
124lbs

Sales Information

6th 1. MANGO DIVA (GB) 4yo M
HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR (IRE) - MANGO MISCHIEF (IRE)
RYAN MOORE
SIR MICHAEL STOUTE
$5
133lbs

Sales Information

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