Nassau Stakes

The Nassau Stakes, joint fifth oldest race at the Glorious Goodwood meeting along with the Chesterfield Cup, was named by the 5th Duke of Richmond, Charles Gordon-Lennox, in honour of his close ties and support of the House of Orange-Nassau, the reigning House of the Netherlands, and is a Group 1 race for fillies and mares aged 3 and above over 1 mile 1 furlong and 192 yards. When first contested, it was restricted to 3-year-old fillies over a mile, but in 1900 it was extended to 1 mile 4 furlongs, although it was reduced to its current distance in 1911. Race conditions were changed in 1975 when fillies and mares aged 4 and above were allowed entry and, at one stage, it was a Group 2 race, but was promoted to Group 1 level in 1999. It traditionally takes place on the third day of the 5-day meeting.
Early history:-The inaugural running of the Nassau Stakes was on Friday 31st July 1840 when Lord George Bentinck's 3-year-old filly Rosa Bianca defeated a Priam Filly and Sillistria.

Nassau Stakes 1962 Group 3 1 Mile 2 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 NORTIA Joe Mercer W Hern 3-9st 3lbs Major Lionel Holliday 100/30 jt fav
2 ROMANTICA Bill Williamson Harry Wragg Mr G Oldham 4/1
3 PELLEGRINO Lester Piggott Murless Colonel B Hornung 100/30 jt fav
4 CAMPANIA Greville Starkey Oxley Mr Reg Hollingsworth 20/1
5 FOOLS GOLD W Carr Boyd-Rochfort Mr Jock Whitney 9/1
6 BLACK NANNY Eph Smith T Leader Mr H Joel 7/2
7 FORTUNELLA Scobie Breasley Nelson Mr Charles Clore 100/8
This race took place on Friday 3rd August 1962 and was a subscription race of 50 sovereigns each for 3-y-o fillies carrying 8st 10lbs. It was valued at £2396 (equivalent to £58,000 in 2021). Over round 113%