CLASSIC GENERATION DOMINATE NASSAU @Goodwood_Races

A record number of runners will line up for tomorrow's Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes, the 12^th Group One race confined to females on the European circuit during the season. There are 15 fillies and mares due to line up in the near 10-furlong event, which has had top-level status since 1999. The previous most populous field has been 11.

The race, founded in 1840, gets its name in recognition of the friendship between the fifth Duke Of Richmond and the Dutch royal family, the house of Orange and Nassau. The capital of the Bahamas, incidentally, has the same root; it was named Nassau in 1695 in honour of William Of Orange, William III of England.

The Nassau Stakes started life as a mile contest (during which time it was won by top-class performers like Virago, Thebais and La Fleche), was extended to 12 furlongs in 1900 (when its winners included Turf legends Sceptre and Pretty Polly) before settling to around its present distance (nowadays 1m 1f 192y) in 1911. The only British Classic winners to have won since then have been Straitlace, Saucy Sue, Happy Laughter, Russian Rhythm (all at three) and Ouija Board (at five).

The race was restricted to the Classic generation until 1975, when three-year-old Roussalka beat her elders and then returned the following year to become the first older female to win. Obviously, she was also the first dual winner, a feat matched or bettered only by Ruby Tiger (1991-92) and triple heroine Midday (2009-11) since. In 38 all-aged runnings, older fillies or mares have won only nine.

Tomorrow, nine three-year-olds are scheduled to take on their elders and dominate the betting. The warm favourite, at a general 9/4, is Sky Lantern, winner of the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes and narrowly defeated by four-year-old Elusive Kate, since successful in the Prix Rothschild, in the Falmouth Stakes. The Richard Hannon-trained grey is stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time.

Among her contemporaries, her rivals include her immediate Rowley Mile victim Just The Judge from the Charlie Hills yard. The Lawman filly, who may yet be ruled out by too-fast ground,  went on to take the Irish 1,000 Guineas but finished only third at Royal Ascot. The market, though, prefers the chances of the Sir Michael Stoute candidate Integral. The twice-raced daughter of Dalakhani is defending an unbeaten record as she tackles Group One company for the first time after impressing in a Listed contest at Sandown. She, too, is stepping up in distance.

Those dropping back in trip include Secret Gesture, second favourite for the Oaks when runner-up to her less fancied Ralph Beckett stablemate Talent, and Irish challenger Just Pretending, second to Riposte in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot before beating that rival into fifth when third to Chicquita in the Irish Oaks. Her trainer Aidan O'Brien also fields Magical Dream for the Coolmore partners, with Qatar Racing (Just the Judge and Secret Gesture) also doubly represented.

The most prominent of the older brigade in the betting is Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Sajjhaa, whose best result has been when she beat the boys in the Dubai Duty Free at Meydan in March. On her only run since she finished fourth, again in open-sex company, in the QEII Cup in Hong Kong in April. At six, the King's Best mare is the oldest member of the field and will be bidding to become the first of that age to win a Nassau Stakes.