The highlight of the third day at Glorious Goodwood is S3-4, the Group 1 Nassau Stakes over 1,985 metres, where leading three-year-old fillies will take on established older mares.
Aidan O’Brien is represented by DIAMOND NECKLACE and MOMENTS OF JOY, with the unbeaten DIAMOND NECKLACE undoubtedly the main attraction. She has won all five of her career starts, including this season’s Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane. Facing older mares for the first time, she receives a valuable weight allowance at 126lb and will again be partnered by Ryan Moore. Another victory would further establish her status among Europe’s elite three-year-old fillies.
Her biggest threat appears to be FRIENDLY SOUL, trained by John and Thady Gosden. The five-year-old mare is already a Group 1 Prix de l’Opera winner and returns to a trip of around 2,000 metres with William Buick in the saddle. With proven top-level ability and considerably more experience, she represents a major test of DIAMOND NECKLACE’s unbeaten record.
S3-2, the Group 2 Richmond Stakes over 1,200 metres, provides an important examination for some of Britain and Ireland’s most promising two-year-old sprinters. Richard Hannon is represented by CUT A DASH, while Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore team up with MAN’S BEST FRIEND. With juveniles capable of making rapid improvement at this stage of the season, the performances of these runners could provide an important guide to higher-level contests later in the campaign.