Shadwell’s purple patch continued when Al Husn once again displayed her tenacious attitude to battle off rivals in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes on day three at Glorious Goodwood.
The market and many others had the race billed as a straight shootout between last-time-out Group 1 winners Blue Rose Cen and Nashwa, but it was Nashwa's Newcastle conqueror Al Husn, who would taste top-level success for the first time.
Stall one always had the potential to prove problematic for the red-hot 10/11 favourite Blue Rose Cen and that certainly proved the case as Aurelien Lemaitre struggled for racing room up the straight. The French-based rider attempted to take a gap up the inside of front-runner Above The Curve but found the space quickly closed by Ryan Moore and the pair soon struggled to get on terms.
There were no such troubles for last-time-out Group 1 Falmouth Stakes scorer Nashwa, who enjoyed a trouble-free passage down the middle of the track. The Gosden-trained filly seemingly looked to be travelling best of all approaching the final two furlongs, and although she certainly loomed up to Al Husn's quarters, she could never quite get past as the Shadwell-owned runner continued to find plenty for pressure.
Above The Curve (7/1) stayed on well to fill the runner-up spot with last year's winner Nashwa back in third.
Blue Rose Cen did keep on under hands and heels riding once in the clear but could only manage fourth after meeting trouble in running.
It was further Group 1 success for Shadwell and Jim Crowley on the back of Hukum's heroic victory in the King George at Ascot last weekend.
Jim Crowley said: "As you saw, she's not a big filly but she's all heart. She tries so hard. I was very fortunate with the way the race panned out. We had a kind draw and when Ryan went on to make the running, it was the obvious thing to do to sit second and I was effectively in a bit of a pocket on the inside, so I had to be a bit careful with that. And I knew Nashwa was going to come at some point. Two out she stuck her neck down and really battled and really wanted it, which was great. She's improved. Roger's done a fantastic job with her, and she's just kept on improving all season. Coming here today, on the figures she still had to step up and she did.
"It was a steady, tactical affair and she was in the right place, but she still had to kick on two out and fend them off, which she did.
"She might possibly get further, but we've never really thought about it. It's something we can talk about."
Roger Varian, who completed a quickfire double when Mission To Moon landed the nursery just 35 minutes later, said: "She's a remarkable filly. I think she's won seven of her last eight now. The truth is none of us really knew how good she was, because she's one of those who just beats what's in front of her and she's never particularly flashy. She's got such an admirable attitude – she's tough. So, we thought we would come here and run very well, but obviously delighted, and delighted Sheiha Hissa is here, to have a Group 1 for her and with a homebred filly like this, it's fantastic.
"It's a fantastic race, steeped in prestige and history. It's one of the magical races for fillies to win. It will be for ever in her stud book and hopefully when she's done racing, she can go to the farm and be a great mare for them. It's very special, it's special for us – we went very close a couple of years ago in the same colours with Zeyaadah when she was second here two or three years ago. So it's nice to go one better today."
The Newmarket-based handler added: "All she does is keeps beating what's in front of her. She never seems to beat them by three or four lengths, she just does enough but she beats what's in front of her, she's incredibly tough. We were all very impressed with Nashwa at Newmarket, so we thought she would be very tough to beat today. But I guess looking back at Newcastle, the distance is about the same so maybe that form line is as true as it can be.
"12 months ago, I don't think I would have said she would be stood here in the winners' enclosure after the Nassau Stakes, but we've always really liked her, she's not the biggest filly, but she's very well made."
Paddy Power made Al Husn a 6/1 chance to land the Yorkshire Oaks on the Knavesmire next month although trainer Roger Varian remains undecided.
"Well let's enjoy today and see how she is tomorrow. She's well entered up, she's in the Prix Jean Romanet in two-and-a-half weeks' time in Deauville. She's in the Yorkshire Oaks, if we fancy going up to a mile-and-a-half, I'm not sure about that. Later in the year, races like the Prix de l'Opera I'm sure will be considered and who knows, perhaps something at Santa Anita for her."
