Wootton Bassett’s Whirl Wows In Nassau Stakes

Whirl (3f Wootton Bassett – Salsa, by Galileo) followed up her Pretty Polly Stakes victory with an ultra-impressive performance in Thursday’s Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

Sent off short-priced favourite under Ryan Moore, the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly made all from a flag start due to lightning. Switching to the stands’ side in the straight, she began to assert approaching the final furlong and soon went clear, leading by five lengths on the line. Coronation Stakes heroine Cercene (Australia) claimed runners-up honours.

Ryan Moore reported: “Whirl just keeps doing what she says she's going to do, she's very uncomplicated and has loads of ability. She stays well, can handle quick ground and can handle slow ground. Aidan called her a racing machine and this filly just keeps progressing over time.”

O’Brien added: “I can't remember a Group 1 race starting without stalls. Whirl is an amazing filly. Ryan gave her a lovely ride and she handles all types of ground.”

On future plans for Whirl and her Epsom rival Minnie Hauk, the trainer commented: "Minnie Hauk is going to York at the moment so this filly wouldn't go," added O'Brien. “Whirl is straightforward. Soft or heavy ground doesn't bother her. She could go to the Arc but she'll have so many options. She'll have a couple of easy weeks now and then we'll decide.”

A Coolmore homebred, Whirl is now a five-time winner, with four of her wins coming at Group level. The daughter of Wootton Bassett is the first foal out of Salsa (Galileo), herself an own-sister to Hydrangea and Hermosa.