Fancy Blue Primed for Nassau Stakes Bid

John Gosden has been victorious over Aidan O'Brien in two group 1s in recent days and now it is the turn of another O'Brien—the legendary trainer's son Donnacha O'Brien—to try to get the better of Britain's champion trainer.

Gosden's Nazeef is three from three this season, with a listed win at Kempton followed by a head success in the Duke of Cambridge (G2) at Royal Ascot and a first group 1 win in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes over a mile at Newmarket's July meeting. She is a filly going places fast and the step up in trip is expected to bring about further improvement.

"We kept her in training because we thought she was black type but she went and won the listed race at Kempton in some style from off what wasn't a great pace," said Gosden. "Very quickly she went on to Ascot and battled away there and then did the same again the other day. We thought she would progress but the speed of her progression was certainly not something we thought would happen in early June.

"We're stepping up to a mile and a quarter. She's always given us the indication that it should suit her but you never know until you run because her pedigree doesn't necessarily scream it. But her style of racing would seem to lend itself well to a mile and a quarter there. It looks a small but quality field." 

O'Brien the younger brings Fancy Blue to this battle. His father has lent him the services of stable jockey Ryan Moore, meaning O'Brien senior calls upon Gosden's regular ally Frankie Dettori for the ride on his own challenger—Magic Wand.

Fancy Blue is already a group 1 winner herself, at a mile and a quarter no less, in the Prix de Diane Longines (G1). That she is proven at the trip is in her favor, and it is hard to suggest Nazeef's speed could catch her out as Fancy Blue was second herself to Peaceful in the Tattersalls Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1). It promises to be a wonderful clash of the generations between two proven group 1 performers open to further improvement.

"She beat the right horses at Chantilly and they came clear of the rest so it looks like strong form. She's very genuine, tries hard, and takes her work well," Donnacha O'Brien said. "She's a very uncomplicated and talented filly who relaxes and is able to quicken. I think she can probably be competitive in group 1s anywhere from a mile to a mile and a half."

On the unique challenge presented by Goodwood he added: "You can't be sure until you go there, but she's quite easy to ride in a race and adaptable. I'd say she's got a very good chance of handling it all and she's been in great form since France." 

O'Brien senior's challenger Magic Wand is a group 1 winner in her own right, landing the Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes (G1) at Flemington at the back-end of last year after a string of 'yardstick performances.' She has been second a further eight times in group 1s around the world.

"She ran a lovely race in the (Coral) Eclipse (G1) and she's been in great form since," said O'Brien. "The better the ground, the better chance she has so hopefully the rain stays away." 

Change of Tactics?

Fancy Blue, Nazeef, and Magic Wand are not the only group 1 winners in the field, with last year's scorer—Japanese superstar Deirdre—back for more, meaning more than half of the seven-strong field have already been successful at the highest level.

Last year Deirdre was held up and came with a swooping run up the far rail, but big-race partner Oisin Murphy is considering a change of tactics due to the lack of pace in the race and the fact Fancy Blue, the horse he sees as the one to beat, has a forward way of going.

"She's trained very well and there doesn't look like there's a lot of pace in the race," he said. "Donnacha O'Brien's filly was given a prominent ride when winning in France last time. It was a very good ride but I might ride Deirdre a little bit more forward this time. She seems in good order and I'm looking forward to the race."

Key Stat

Weight for age seems to favor the classic generation in the Nassau. Six of the last eight runnings have been picked up by 3-year-olds, despite just representing 54% (34 of 63) of runners in that time. This year only Fancy Blue and One Voice represent the younger challenge.