The feature race for day three of the Glorious Goodwood Festival is the Nassau Stakes.
A Group 1 contest run over 1m 1f and 197y at Goodwood, exclusively for fillies and mares aged three and up, it remains one of the summer's key middle-distance races for female thoroughbreds in Britain.
First staged in 1840 as a mile-long contest for three-year-old fillies, the race was extended to 1m 2f in 1900 and trimmed slightly to its current distance in 1911. From 1975, the race was opened to older mares, and it gained Group 1 status in 1999.
While war-time interruptions saw the race cancelled on occasion, the modern era has seen a more even spread of winners between the age groups. Notably, between 1993 and 2003, three-year-olds dominated with 11 consecutive victories, but recent renewals have shown no strong bias in favour of either generation.
The race has also provided some historic performances — most notably Midday’s hat-trick (2009–2011), a feat achieved under the guidance of the late Sir Henry Cecil and jockey Tom Queally.
The Nassau Stakes also forms a crucial part of the fillies' middle-distance programme, following the Falmouth Stakes and preceding the Yorkshire Oaks in the calendar.
Nassau Stakes 2025 expert racing tips, betting and latest odds
This year’s Nassau Stakes appears to revolve around the three-year-old division, with several Classic-generation stars looking to stamp their authority on the race.
Topping the market is Whirl (11/8 with Bet365 at time of writing), winner of the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland and runner-up in the Oaks at Epsom. She boasts the best form in the field and is proven over the trip.
Her main danger comes in the shape of Bedtime Story, who is currently 6/1 with Bet365. She caught the eye when finishing second in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks). That effort came despite a sluggish start, and with a cleaner break, she looks capable of reversing the result.
Among the supporting cast is Cercene, a surprise package at Royal Ascot where she downed top miler Zarigana in the Coronation Stakes. She is untested beyond a mile, but her turn of foot and versatility on soft ground make her a fascinating contender.
The leading older mare is See The Fire, who was a solid third against the boys in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes last time. Dropping back into fillies-only company, she commands plenty of respect.
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Key Runners
- Whirl
Winner of the Pretty Polly Stakes and second in the Oaks. A well-rounded middle-distance performer with tactical speed and class.
- Bedtime Story
French Oaks runner-up. Possesses a powerful, sustained turn of foot and will be dangerous if breaking on terms.
- Cercene
Consistent and adaptable, especially in testing ground. Question-marks remain over the trip, having never raced beyond a mile.
- See The Fire
Group 1-placed against colts. Tough, reliable, and effective in any tempo – a versatile older mare with staying power.
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Nassau Stakes 2025 Selections
◎Whirl
〇Bedtime Story
▲See The Fire
△Cercene
Whirl is the one to beat given her proven Group 1 credentials and all-round ability. Bedtime Story is the chief threat if she breaks cleanly, while See The Fire brings solid older-horse form to the table. Cercene could outrun her odds if the race becomes tactical.
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When is the 2025 Nassau Stakes?
The 2025 renewal of the Nassau Stakes takes place on Thursday, July 31, with post time scheduled for 3:05pm local time, headlining day three of Glorious Goodwood.
2025 Nassau Stakes: Key Race Details
Distance: 1m 1f 197y
Surface: Turf, right-handed
Eligibility: Fillies & Mares, 3yo+ (Weight for Age)