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Saturday 3 August 2013

MARKEL INSURANCE NASSAU STAKES - INITIAL QUOTES @Goodwood_Races



Winsili, a 20/1 chance, gave trainer John Gosden a third success in the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes following the victories of The Fugue in 2012 and Ryafan in 1997. It was a first success in the Group One contest for jockey William Buick.

William Buick said: "Obviously, she didn't stay a mile and a half in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot. She's not easy and the whole team at home have done a great job because she is a bit lively in the mornings.

"She was great today. I got a nice run through and she is very game. It has been an up and down week, so it's great to finish on a high.

goodwood"My game plan was to follow Hughsie and I was hoping that he wasn't going to get to far back, which he didn't. Then I had plenty of room in the straight to manoeuvre. She travelled so good that I decided to take my time because I know that she has a turn of foot. She fought off all challengers up to the line.

"I am a great believer in the hood. It helps her a lot - it makes her focus and she can't hear anything else."

John Gosden said: "I thought that Sky Lantern, like everyone else, was the filly to beat. She is a fabulous filly and obviously the Falmouth is something that never sits easy with me either. She is a gorgeous filly who didn't quite get the rub of the green today.

"We were drawn outside, which has dreadful disadvantages but it does mean that you don't get boxed it. It might mean that you have to go the long way round but you tend to get a clear run and I think that was a big help to us today.

"She can't stand still. You meet people who are like roadrunner, they have a bottle of water, they are always walking and they are usually jogging or something. She can't stand still, so if you are having a conversation with her, she walks round you.

"I have to saddle her on the move because she cannot stand. When she goes for a canter in the mornings, she must be with one other and as that one approaches her, she then trots past and is free. But, if she has to wait, she will nearly throw herself on the ground with sheer frustration that she can't get on and do what she wants to. She is quite strong-minded.

"Prince Khalid bred Midday, who won three years on the bounce and he has now won four of the last five Nassau Stakes. That's some achievement."

Richard Hughes, partner of the 7/4 favourite Sky Lantern, who finished fifth, said: "I had a good run through the whole way. I was behind the Godolphin runner at the two-pole and I edged out to go round her. Mr Buick's horse rolled down on top of me and just pushed me back in on the heels.


"I think that my filly was the best in the race. I was coming out to win and she must have remembered the belt in the face! There was nothing that I could have done. That's racing but it was very unlucky.

"I had an argy-bargy match at the top of the hill with Hot Snap as well - I managed to get out of that but her tongue was hanging out to one side and I wasn't totally happy. I had filled her up down to the two-pole and I was happy.

"I had the daylight to go - there was no such thing as looking for a gap because I had one - and Winsili has rolled down and pushed me back in behind."

WINSILI A SHOCK WINNER AT 20/1

One of Glorious Goodwood's showcase races, the £200,000 Group One Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes was won by a 20/1 longshot called Winsili.

She upstaged a pair of Classic winners and a number of other better-fancied rivals to score for her owner/breeder Prince Khalid Abdullah, who was landing the contest for the fourth time in five years, following a trio of wins for Midday from 2009-2011. Trainer John Gosden was winning the race for a second year in succession following victory for The Fugue 12 months ago, while for jockey William Buick it was a first win in the race. He is sponsored by Markel Insurance, whose name appeared in the race title.

Winsili was running in just her fifth race having been unplaced over 12 furlongs in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot on her previous outing.

Gosden said: "It's not a fluke - I didn't bring her here for the Sussex air.

"I thought Sky Lantern was the one to beat, because she's a gorgeous filly, but didn't quite get the rub of the green today. We were drawn outside, which does have dreadful disadvantages, but does mean you are unlikely to get boxed in - you have to go the long way around, but you can avoid trouble. That was a big help to us."

Asked about Winsili's character, Gosden said: "She cannot stand still. She's happy in perpetual motion. You do meet people who are like Roadrunner, with a bottle of water and they are always running or jogging, and they don't have pinch on them. They die at 40 or live to 100. She's like that. If you have a conversation with her she goes around you.

"I had to saddle her on the move and when she goes for a canter in the morning she has to go with one other and then trot past and go away, but if she has to wait she will throw herself on the ground with sheer frustration. She's quite strong minded with lots of talent.

"She came back this year and won a Listed race, and then quite simply didn't stay in the Ribblesdale Stakes. She's done this well from a difficult draw.

"She will be running in nice mile and a quarter races and I will probably keep her with fillies. She will make a lovely broodmare one day and could be a possibility for the Breeders' Cup but she would have to get there a week in advance and be schooled in the paddock at Santa Anita. I might leave that decision to the owner, Prince Khalid."

THOSE IN THE FRAME HAPPY

James Doyle, the rider of neck second Thistle Bird, was thrilled with the five-year-old  Selkirk mare who is trained by Roger Charlton for Lady Rothschild.

He said: "I was really delighted with her. She is tough, settled well and finished good. She gets that trip on a sharp track."

Lady Cecil was happy with the third, three-year-old Hot Snap, who finished well to be two lengths behind the runner up.

She said of the Pivotal filly: "I am delighted with her - she was doing well at the end."

Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager for Khalid Abdullah, Hot Snap's owner, added: "I was very pleased with the way she came back - she didn't really come down the hill terribly well and was a little bit slow beginning but ran on really nicely and she is obviously back on track.

"Hopefully, the curve will be upward rather than downward from now on. I would think a mile and a quarter will be right for her on nice Flat galloping track.

"We will look at the mile and a quarter races, the Prix de l'Opera and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf."

His owner also had the winner Winsili and the racing manager declared: "Absolutely chuffed. We always had a very good opinion of her - we supplemented her for the Fillies' Mile - and she came out and won a Listed race nicely over a mile and a quarter at Newbury and then did not stay in the Ribblesdale. So we brought her back in trip."

Saeed bin Suroor was pleased with the fourth Sajjhaa who will now be brought back in trip. He said: "It was for her first run since Hong Kong and she probably needed the race but I don't think she stayed a mile and a quarter. We will drop her back to a mile for the Sun Chariot at Newmarket and there is a mile race in America we are looking at in October."

JOCKEYS AFTER THE MARKEL INSURANCE NASSAU STAKES

Richard Hughes, who finished fifth on the 7/4 favourite Sky Lantern, said: "It was just bad luck - I was going well and just about to come out and I got nailed back in again."

Seamie Heffernan, jockey of sixth Just Pretending, said: "She ran a very good race - she has been running good races in Ireland."

Ryan Moore, rider of seventh Integral, said: "She ran OK I think - she is probably still a little inexperienced. She had a gap but couldn't quicken - she just doesn't really know enough."

Johnny Murtagh, on board ninth Ambivalent, said: "I missed the kick - she didn't jump great and then I was chasing all the way. It didn't happen for her today."

Neil Callan, on Semayyel (11th), said: "She wasn't good enough."

Charlie Hills, trainer of Just The Judge who finished 12th, said: "She has pulled a shoe off and has taken half of the bulb of her heel away. She stumbled coming out of the stalls and that is obviously where she has done it and then she stumbled again. Hopefully if nothing else has happened it will just put us back a couple of weeks."

3.15pm Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1)
£200,000 total prize fund. For 3yo+ fillies and mares, 1m 1f 192y. Weights: 3yo 8st 11lb; 4yo+ 9st 6lb. Penalty value 1st £113,420.00 2nd £43,000.00 3rd £21,520.00 4th £10,720.00 5th £5,380.00 6th £2,700.00

1) WINSILI (Khalid Abdullah) John Gosden h3-8-11 William Buick [15] 20/1
2) THISTLE BIRD (Lady Rothschild) Roger Charlton 5-9-06 James Doyle [14] 33/1
3) HOT SNAP (Khalid Abdullah) Lady Cecil 3-8-11 Tom Queally [5] 5/1
4) SAJJHAA (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor h6-9-06 Silvestre De Sousa [4]
5) SKY LANTERN (IRE) (Ben Keswick) Richard Hannon 3-8-11 Richard Hughes [13] 7/4 Fav
6) JUST PRETENDING (USA) (Michael Tabor) Aidan O'Brien IRE h3-8-11 Seamie Heffernan [11]
7) INTEGRAL (Cheveley Park Stud) Sir Michael Stoute 3-8-11 Ryan Moore [1]
8) MAGICAL DREAM (IRE) (Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith) Aidan O'Brien IRE 3-8-11 Michael Hussey [12]
9) AMBIVALENT (IRE) (Ali Saeed) Roger Varian h4-9-06 Johnny Murtagh [7]
10) MOMENT IN TIME (IRE) (Julia Annable) David Simcock 4-9-06 Jim Crowley [2]
11) SEMAYYEL (IRE) (Saeed Manana) Clive Brittain 4-9-06 Neil Callan [6]
12) JUST THE JUDGE (IRE) (Qatar Racing Limited & Sangster Family) Charlie Hills 3-8-11 Jamie Spencer [10]
13) BEATRICE AURORE (IRE) (Benny Andersson) Ed Dunlop h5-9-06 Olivier Peslier [8]
14) BANOFFEE (IRE) (Michael Kerr-Dineen, Lord Hambleden & Partners) Hughie Morrison 3-8-11 Kieren Fallon [3]

14 ran              
Non-runner: Secret Gesture (Going)
Time: 2m 06.19s           
Distances: nk, 2, ½, 1¾, hd, ¾, ¾, 2, 2¾, ¾, 7, ¾, 18
Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd  
Breeding: Dansili - Winter Sunrise (Pivotal)
Tote      Win £31.00        Place  £5.90 £13.30 £2.20          Exacta £1,191.30

Winning Trainer:-Name: Gosden, John Harry Martin Born: Hove, 30/3/51 Date of first trainer's licence (Britain): 1988(previously a leading trainer in USA, 1980-1988) Trains at Clarehaven Stables, Bury Road, Newmarket, Suffolk (previously at Manton and Newmarket) First winner in Europe: Intimidate, Kempton, March 27, 1989 English Classic Wins (6): 1,000 Guineas (2000 Lahan), Investec Derby (1997 Benny The Dip), Ladbrokes St Leger (1996 Shantou, 2007 Lucarno, 2010 Arctic Cosmos, 2011 Masked Marvel) Irish Classic Wins (2): Irish St Leger (1992 Mashaallah, 2011 Duncan) French Classic Wins (2): Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (1999 Valentine Waltz, 2002 Zenda) Other Big Race Wins Include: Cheveley Park Stakes (1993 Prophecy), Falmouth Stakes (1997 Ryafan, 2013 Elusive Kate), Fillies' Mile (2000 Crystal Music, 2004 Playful Act, 2005 Nannina, 2008 Rainbow View), Haydock Sprint Cup (1993 Wolfhound), July Cup (2003 Oasis Dream), Lockinge Stakes (1994 Emperor Jones, 2008 Virtual), Middle Park Stakes (2002 Oasis Dream), Nassau Stakes (1997 Ryafan, 2012 The Fugue), Nunthorpe Stakes (2003 Oasis Dream), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2000 Observatory, 2008 Raven's Pass), Sun Chariot Stakes (1991 Ristna), Yorkshire Oaks (2009 Dar Re Mi), Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (1991 Keen Hunter), Prix de la Foret (1992 Wolfhound, 2001 Mount Abu), Prix d'Ispahan (2001 Observatory), Prix Jean Prat (1995 Torrential), Prix Marcel Boussac (1996 Ryafan, 2001 Sulk, 2011 Elusive Kate), Prix Maurice de Gheest (2002 May Ball), Grosser Preis von Baden (1992 Mashaallah), Irish Champion Stakes (1993 Muhtarram), Matron Stakes (2009 Rainbow View), Pretty Polly Stakes (1994 Del Deya, 2009 Dar Re Mi), Gran Premio del Jockey Club (1996 Shantou), Gran Premio di Milano (1992 Mashaallah, 1997 Shantou), Premio Presidente della Repubblica (1994 Muhtarram), Premio Roma (1993 Knifebox, 1996 Flemensfirth), Arlington Million (2010 Debussy), Breeders' Cup Classic (2008 Raven's Pass), Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (2008 Donativum, 2009 Pounced), Breeders' Cup Mile (1984 Royal Heroine), Clement L Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes (1987 Allez Milord), Philip H Iselin Handicap (1983 Bates Motel), Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (1997 Ryafan), Santa Anita Handicap (1983 Bates Motel), Santa Anita Handicap (1983 Bates Motel), Yellow Ribbon Stakes (1997 Ryafan), Dubai Sheema Classic (2010 Dar Re Mi), King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) (2011 Nathaniel), Coral-Eclipse (2012 Nathaniel), Prix Rothschild (2012 & 2013 Elusive Kate)  Royal Ascot Wins (33): Chesham Stakes (1990 Chicarica, 1998 Rhapsodist), Jersey Stakes (1991 Satin Flower, 2000 Observatory), Queen's Vase (1992 Landowner), King George V Handicap (1993 Learmont, 1997 Heritage), Prince of Wales's Stakes (1994 & 95 Muhtarram), Britannia Handicap (1996 North Song, 1998 Plan-B, 2000 El Gran Papa, 2001 Analyser), Ascot Stakes (1999 High And Mighty), Norfolk Stakes (1999 Warm Heart), Buckingham Palace Stakes (2002 Demonstrate), Diamond Jubilee Stakes (2002 Malhub), Coventry Stakes (2004 Iceman), King Edward VII Stakes (2005 Plea Bargain, 2011 Nathaniel), Coronation Stakes (2006 Nannina, 2012 Fallen For You), Windsor Forest Stakes (2007 Nannina, 2012 Joviality), Royal Hunt Cup (2007 Royal Oath), Ribblesdale Stakes (2008 Michta), Hardwicke Stakes (2009 Bronze Cannon), Queen Mary Stakes (2010 Maqaasid), Wolferton Handicap (2011 Beachfire, 2012 Gatewood), Albany Stakes (2012 Newfangled), Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap (2012 Camborne), Tercentenary Stakes (2013 Remote) First Royal Ascot Win: Chicarica (June 21, 1990 - Chesham Stakes) First Goodwood winner: Thakib (Surplice Stakes, August 4, 1990) Total Goodwood wins: 126 (29 at July Meeting) Horses in Training (2008-2013): 146; 161; 172; 168; 161; 166 Wins in a season (1989-2012): 27; 88; 86; 113; 109; 92; 86; 75; 91; 77; 74; 80; 55; 85; 72; 66; 91; 56; 68; 95; 88; 105; 99; 119 Champion Trainer: 2012  Wins in 2013: 53

Winning jockey:-Name: Buick, William Born: Norway, July 22, 1988 Background:. Made a sensational start to his career, finishing runner-up to James Doyle in the 2006/07 All-Weather apprentice title race with 24 winners. His father, Walter, was eight-time champion jockey in Scandinavia and rode 22 classic winners in his career, and is a race reader and a work-rider for Marcus Tregoning. Shared the 2008 apprentice title with David Probert, and appointed stable jockey for John Gosden at the start of 2010. First Ride in Britain: Tiny Tim, Brighton, August 10, 2006 First Winner: Bank On Benny, Axminster Carpets Apprentice Handicap, Salisbury, September 27, 2006 English Classic Wins (2): Ladbrokes St Leger (2010 Arctic Cosmos, 2011 Masked Marvel) Royal Ascot Wins (9): Wokingham Stakes (2007 Dark Missile); King Edward VII Stakes (2011 Nathaniel), Wolferton Handicap (2011 Beachfire, 2012 Gatewood), Windsor Forest Stakes (2012 Joviality), Albany Stakes (2012 Newfangled), Coronation Stakes (2012 Fallen For You), Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap (2012 Camborn), Tercentenary Stakes (2013 Remote) First Goodwood Winner: Dingaan (Empire Property Group Handicap, June 9, 2007) Total Goodwood Wins: 30 (8 at July Meeting) First Group One Win: Lahaleeb, E P Taylor Stakes, Woodbine, October 17, 2009 Other Big Race Wins: Shadwell Middle Park Stakes (2010 Dream Ahead), Doncaster Cup (2010 Samuel),Dubai Sheema Classic (2010 Dar Re Mi), Huxley Stakes (2010 Debussy), Arlington Million (2010 Debussy), Darley Prix Morny (2010 Dream Ahead) Jockey Club Cup (2010 Tastahil), Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup (2011 Duncan), King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) (2011 Nathaniel), Betfred Sprint Cup (2011 Dream Ahead), Prix Marcel Boussac (2011 Elusive Kate), Prix de la Foret (2011 Dream Ahead, 2012 Gordon Lord Byron) Gran Premio Di Milano (2012 Earl Of Tinsdal), Pretty Polly Stakes (2012 Izzi Top), Coral-Eclipse (2012 Nathaniel), Irish Oaks (2012 Great Heavens), Prix Rothschild (2012 & 2013 Elusive Kate), Nunthorpe Stakes (2012 Ortensia), Betfred Cambridgeshire (2012 Bronze Angel), Jebel Hatta (2013 Sajjhaa) Falmouth Stakes (2013 Elusive Kate)  Wins (2006-2012): 10; 67; 54 (shared apprentice title with David Probert); 66; 99; 106; 130 Wins In 2013: 63

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