Product Code Database
Nashwan (1 March 1986 – 19 July 2002) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. After winning both his starts as a two-year-old, he developed into an outstanding performer in the spring and summer of 1989, completing a unique four-timer when winning the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, Eclipse Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. After sustaining his only defeat in the Prix Niel in September, he was retired to stud where he was a successful sire of winners.
Nashwan was trained throughout his racing career by Dick Hern at West Ilsley in Berkshire, England, and was ridden in all of his races by Willie Carson. His name was reported to be an Arabic word meaning "joy".
A month later, Nashwan was moved up in distance for the Epsom Derby over one and a half miles at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Despite the unseasonably cold, damp weather, the race attracted an estimated 500,000 spectators including Queen Elizabeth II. Nashwan started 5/4 favourite against eleven opponents, with the biggest danger expected to come from Cacoethes, winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial. Carson positioned the favourite just behind the leaders before moving up to take the lead from Cacoethes in the straight. He pulled "effortlessly" clear in the closing stages to win by five lengths from the 500/1 outsider Terimon, who finished well to deprive Cacoethes of second. He was the first horse to complete the Guineas-Derby double since Nijinsky II in 1970, though he was emulated by Sea the Stars in 2009 and Camelot in 2012.
Nashwan's next task was to prove himself against older opposition, starting with the Eclipse Stakes over one and a quarter miles at Sandown Park on 8 July. Despite having recently recovered from a foot infection and facing both the outstanding racemare Indian Skimmer and the champion miler Warning, he was sent off the 2/5 favourite. Nashwan took the lead approaching the final furlong and won by five lengths from the outsider Opening Verse, who later won the Breeders' Cup Mile. Two weeks later, Nashwan contested Britain's most prestigious all-aged race, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over one and a half miles at Ascot. With the late withdrawal of Prix du Jockey Club winner Old Vic, Nashwan was expected to win easily and started as 2/9 favourite. This time he had to fight for his victory, with old rival Cacoethes challenging him throughout the final two furlongs. Nashwan was driven out by Carson to win by a neck, with the subsequent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Carroll House a further eleven lengths back in fifth. His narrow margin of victory led some critics to question his status as a "super-horse".
Nashwan's owner decided not to attempt the Triple Crown in the St Leger Stakes, and the colt was instead aimed at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October. To prepare for this race, he was sent to the Prix Niel over the Arc course and distance on 17 September. Racing on soft ground, Nashwan moved up to challenge in the straight but made no further progress and finished third, beaten one and a half lengths and half a length by the French-trained colts Golden Pheasant and French Glory. Neither Hern nor Carson could offer any explanation for the "lifeless" performance, with the jockey commenting that the 1/5 favourite "didn't have any energy". Nashwan missed the Arc, and, as had been announced in summer, he was retired from racing at the end of the year.
He died while at Shadwell Stud on 19 July 2002, after suffering complications following an operation on a minor leg injury.
|
|
