Hollie Doyle pays tribute as Nashwa bows out

Hollie Doyle hailed Nashwa as the horse who took her career to new heights upon news of the five-year-old’s retirement.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Nashwa is owned by Imad Al Sagar, who employs Doyle as his retained rider.

That meant Doyle was on board for all of Nashwa’s 18 career outings, which included three Group One wins in the Prix de Diane, Nassau Stakes and Falmouth Stakes.

Unfortunately for her connections Nashwa failed to recover her best form this year following a trip to Dubai in the spring, but she retires healthy and Doyle will forever be grateful that she came along when she did.

“She came along at a pivotal time in my career and she has been a star for the stud, Imad and myself,” said Doyle.

“She took my career to new heights and I’ll be forever thankful to her for that and I thank Imad for the opportunity.

“It was all just perfect timing. I remember riding her first time out at Newmarket. I’d got off to a really good start in the job and even though she didn’t win first time I got off and I was so excited, I could just tell she was going to be special.

“She doesn’t owe anyone anything and I’m glad that she’s going out perfectly sound.”

The progress Nashwa made from winning her first race at the end of April in 2022 to winning the Nassau Stakes that July was startling, once it was clear she did not stay a mile and a half in the Oaks.

While she did win three Group Ones, statistically her best performance came when a close third in the Juddmonte International against stablemate Mostahdaf and Paddington.

“Her most taking performance was when she won the Falmouth by five lengths but I suppose people could say it wasn’t that strong a renewal,” said Doyle.

“My favourite memory, though, is winning the French Oaks. She was absolutely class that day and she had to be really tough.

“The gap between our Oaks and the French wasn’t even three weeks but it was always the plan that if she didn’t stay at Epsom we’d go to France.

“Going into Epsom I just felt so alive because I was heading into a British Classic with a genuine chance. The doubt about the trip was always there but when we were coming around Tattenham Corner I was beginning to think we were going to win.

“Unfortunately, when we got to a furlong out I knew the stamina wasn’t there but I was already thinking that coming back to 10 furlongs she would take some beating.”