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Group 1 race
Nassau Stakes
Location	Goodwood Racecourse W. Sussex, England
Inaugurated	1840
Race type	Flat / Thoroughbred
Sponsor	Blue Square
Website	Goodwood
Race information
Distance	1m 1f 192y (1,986 m)
Track	Turf, right-handed
Qualification	Three-years-old and up fillies & mares
Weight	8 st 10 lb (3yo); 9 st 5 lb (4yo+)
Purse	£200,000 (2009) 1st: £113,540

The Nassau Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 192 yards (1,986 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.

The event was named in recognition of the friendship between the 5th Duke of Richmond, who owned Goodwood Racecourse, and the House of Orange-Nassau. It was established in 1840, and it was originally restricted to three-year-old fillies only. During the first part of its history it was contested over 1 mile, and this was extended to 1½ miles in 1900. The present distance, about 1¼ miles, was introduced in 1911.

The Nassau Stakes was opened to fillies and mares aged four or older in 1975. For a period it was classed at Group 2 level, and it was then promoted to its current status, Group 1, in 1999. It is now held on the final day of the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

• Roussalka – 1975, 1976
• Ruby Tiger – 1991, 1992

Leading jockey (6 wins):

• Nat Flatman – Dil-bar (1842), Mania (1843), Clementina (1847), Clarissa (1849), Hirsuta (1852), Cantine (1859)
• Sir Gordon Richards – Solfatara (1933), Coppelia (1935), Barrowby Gem (1936), Goblet (1948), Jet Plane (1949), Sea Parrot (1951)

Leading trainer (7 wins):

• Alec Taylor, Jr. – Maid of the Mist (1909), First Spear (1914), Pompadour (1921), Concertina (1923), Saucy Sue (1925), Foliation (1926), Book Law (1927)
• Sir Michael Stoute – Triple First (1977), Optimistic Lass (1984), Kartajana (1990), Hawajiss (1994), Islington (2002), Russian Rhythm (2003), Favourable Terms (2004)

Leading owner (7 wins):

• Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor – Winkipop (1910), First Spear (1914), Pompadour (1921), Concertina (1923), Saucy Sue (1925), Book Law (1927), Jet Plane (1949)

Winners since 1980

Earlier winners

References

• Racing Post:
  • 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
  • 2008, 2009

• galopp-sieger.de – Nassau Stakes.
• goodwood.co.uk – Goodwood Media Guide (2009).
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Nassau Stakes (2009).
• pedigreequery.com – Nassau Stakes – Goodwood.
• The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. 1993. p. 144. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.  

See also

• Horseracing in Great Britain
• List of British flat horse races