The Nassau Stakes (G1) is set with a compact five-horse field in the featured race at Goodwood on Thursday – Ladies Day at the weekend festival at the racecourse in Chichester, West Sussex, England.
The winner of the 1 ¼-mile Nassau earns a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 31.
There were two other Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races, with unbeaten Bow Echo topping Gstaad in the Sussex Stakes (G1) to earn a spot in the BC Mile and Pershaada beating Adonius in the Molecomb Stakes (G3) for entry to the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Diamond Necklace, a perfect 5-for-5 against her own crop of fillies, takes on elders for the first time in the Nassau.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Coolmore-owned daughter of St. Mark’s Basilica took the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1), French 1000 Guineas (Poule d’Essai des Pouliches) (G1), and Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (G1), showing versatility on both soft and firm ground.
She owns a significant tactical advantage in that she can rally from off the pace or sit up on the engine if the pace scenario is weak. She also is getting weight from the older mares for her British debut, which only extends her favoritism here.
See The Fire finished second in the 2024 Nassau and third in the 2025 renewal, though the heavy ground last year worked against her. A consistent Group performer by Sea The Stars, she was well beaten in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) at Ascot last time, but this is more her distance and trip. Depending on pace, the Andrew Balding-trained 5-year-old can race either up close to the pace or settle midfield if she needs to and still have some fuel in the tank for a late rally.
Friendly Soul, trained by John and Thady Gosden, is a talented Kingman mare who won the Prix de l’Opéra (G1) in 2024 and has several other Group successes. She missed all of 2025 with an undisclosed injury and was pulled up after stepping in a hole in her 2026 return in the Hedge Of Oak Stakes at Haydock Park. She then closed well for third in the Duke of Cambridge (G2) at Royal Ascot over a shorter trip last out. Ten furlongs suits her; she typically races handily and finishes strongly.
Botagoz is an improving Mehmas filly with solid recent form, including a Group 3 win at Newcastle a month ago, and rates as a strong outsider who can improve.
Moments Of Joy, a Justify filly also trained by O’Brien, is the second string for the Ballydole yard and has modest form relative to this level, making her a longshot.
Established in the 19th century and long a highlight of Goodwood, the race gives 3-year-old fillies a chance to take on older fillies or mares.
Midday is a standout three-time winner from 2009–2011), Other notable winners include Ryafan (1997), Islington (2002), Ouija Board (2006), Peeping Fawn (2007), Nashwa (2022), Fancy Blue (2020) and Opera Singer (2024).
Last year’s impressive five-length winner was Whirl for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. Whirl did not run in the Breeders’ Cup.
Sir Henry Cecil remains the leading trainer with eight wins, though O’Brien has seven winners.
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