*Champions leave behind noble legacies that should be forever remembered.* The weekend is here...the weekend is here! Yes, its finally the weekend once again, time to live, love, laugh and most of all relax and have a bit of fun. This is also a new day and that brings with it another dose of racing history and the story of another great champion. I want to use this post as a test, so if youre still following this page and still love the daily post and the stories about these stellar champions then show it by liking or commenting please. Im beginning to feel the cold of less activity on here than there had been in the past. So now, without further delay, by all means feel free to read, comment, like and as always ENJOY the Horse Racing Legacy Historical Tidbit for 03/15/2014: Nashwan (1986--2002) was a chestnut American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse by Blushing Groom and the mare Height of Fashion (by Bustino). Owned and bred by Hamdan Al Maktoum, Nashwan was a large, powerfully-built chestnut horse with a white star and a white sock on his right foreleg. He was trained throughout his racing career by Major Dick Hern at West IIsley in Berkshire, England and was ridden in all of his races by jockey Willie Carson. The name Nashwan is an Arabic name meaning “exultant or joy.” After posting victories in his only 2 starts at the age of 2, he developed into an outstanding performer in the spring and summer of 1989, completing a unique “four-timer” by winning the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, Eclipse Stakes and the King George IV and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. In the spring of 1989, reports of impressive track-work at home saw Nashwan’s odds for Classic Races improve and shorten, so that when he began his 3 year old campaign with a start in the General Accident 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, he started the race with odds of 3/1. He would take the lead approaching the final quarter mile and go on to win by a length over Exbourne. A month later, he would compete in the Ever Ready Derby, moving up in distance, at Epsom Downs. Despite unseasonably cold, damp weather, the race attracted 500,000 spectators including Queen Elizabeth II. Nashwan started with odds of 5/4 against a field of 11. Jockey Willie Carson positioned him just behind the leaders, before moving up to take the lead in the straight. Nashwan would pull away in the closing stages to win by 5 lengths. He was the first horse to complete the Guineas/Derby double since Nijinsky II in 1970, though this feat has since been recreated by Sea the Stars in 2009 and Camelot in 2012. Nashwan’s next task was to prove himself against older competitors, beginning with the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in July. Despite his recent recovery from a foot infection and facing outstanding opposition in Indian Skimmer and Warning, he was sent off at 2/5 odds. He took the lead approaching the final furlong and won easily by 5 lengths. Two weeks later, he appeared as a contender in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, a race he was expected to easily win. He began as the 2/9 favorite but ended up having to fight for his victory with old rival Cacoethes challenging him throughout the final two furlongs. Driven out by Carson, he would win by a neck, and the narrow margin of victory would lead some critics to question his status as “super-horse.” Instead of a Triple Crown berth, Nashwan’s owner chose instead to enter the colt in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. He was sent to the Prix Niel as a prep race and racing on soft ground, he would finish 3rd. Neither Hern nor Carson could explain the “lifeless” performance with the jockey commenting that Nashwan “didn’t have any energy.” He would miss the Arc and was subsequently retired from racing at the end of the year. Despite his achievements, Nashwan rated only 3rd best British-trained 3 year old of 1989. Independent Timeform gave him a rating of 135 and official International Classification also ranked him 3rd behind the same two colts: Zilzal (137) and Old Vic (136). Upon his retirement, Nashwan took to stud duties at Shadwell Stud where he met with limited success. His best known progeny are: Swain (b. 1992—dual winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes), Bago (b. 2001—Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner) and the filly One So Wonderful (International Stakes winner). Nashwan died while at Shadwell Stud on July 19, 2002 from complications following surgery on a minor leg injury. He was 16 years old. Career record of: 7:6-0-1 with earnings of E$793,248. Links of Interest: youtube/watch?v=meAX1kAABnk (1989 Epsom Derby) youtube/watch?v=bL33IF-3vP8 (Nashwan footage) Photo Credit: pedigreequery *All copyright and credit for the posted photo of the great Nashwan goes solely to the photographer who took the picture. All rights are therein reserved.*
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 13:08:30 +0000
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