Nashua (USA)
April 14, 1952 – February 3, 1982
Nasrullah (IRE) x Segula (USA), by Johnstown (USA)
Family 3-m
April 14, 1952 – February 3, 1982
Nasrullah (IRE) x Segula (USA), by Johnstown (USA)
Family 3-m
Nashua was not always eager to give his best, but there was no question that he had plenty of talent. A rugged racer who could compete in top company from five furlongs to two miles, he became the object of a bidding war following the accidental shooting death of owner William Woodward, Jr., and was sold to a syndicate headed by Leslie Combs II for a record US$1,251,200. He went on to a long and honorable career at stud before dying at the age of 30.
Race record
30 starts, 22 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third, US$1,288,565
1954:
1955:
1956:
Honors
Assessments
Nashua was rated #24 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by an expert panel assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Ranked second among American older males of 1956 by The Blood-Horse.
Rated at 127 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1954, 1 pound below highweighted Summer Tan.
Co-highweighted with Swaps atop the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1955 at 130 pounds, 4 pounds more than third-rated Summer Tan.
Rated at 131 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1956, 1 pound below Horse of the Year Swaps.
As an individual
As described by Abram Hewitt in Sire Lines, "Nashua may have been the strongest, most powerful three-year-old seen on the American Turf since Man o' War." A big, rugged, rather plain-headed but well-made bay horse standing 16.2-1/4 hands, Nashua was inclined to loaf in many of his races although he was an enthusiastic worker in the mornings. He had a stayer's build but with exceptional power in the hips, set over textbook legs and feet. He had superb action and could act over any going. He was intelligent and generally good-natured but strong-willed and quirky during his racing days. He became more aggressive and dangerous as a stallion but had a solid bond with his longtime stud groom, Clem Brooks.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Nashua sired 433 winners (66.7%) and 77 stakes winners (11.9%) from 649 named foals. His progeny were typically plain but correct, sound and durable. Nashua is an Intermediate/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Notable progeny
Beldale Ball (USA), Bramalea (USA), Diplomat Way (USA), Gold Digger (USA), Good Manners (USA), Marshua (USA), Nalee (USA), Noble Nashua (USA), Shuvee (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Clear Choice (USA), Destroyer (USA), Dismasted (USA), Lover John (USA), Meneval (USA), Mr. Prospector (USA), My Gallant (USA), Obraztsovy (USA), Roberto (USA), Tisab (USA), Treasure Girl (IND)
Connections
Nashua was bred and owned by Belair Stud, which was inherited by William Woodward, Jr., on the death of his father, William Woodward, Sr., in 1953. While the senior Woodward had intended to send Nashua to England for racing, the younger Woodward decided to focus his efforts on American racing, keeping Nashua in America. Between the colt's 3 and 4-year-old seasons, he was put up for sale following William Woodward Jr.'s death (his wife, who shot him, allegedly took him for a prowling burglar) and was sold to a syndicate headed by Leslie Combs II's Spendthrift Stud; he raced under lease to Combs as a 4-year-old. Nashua was trained by James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons. He stood in Kentucky at Spendthrift Farm throughout his stud career. He was pensioned due to failing health in early 1982 and was humanely destroyed not long afterward due to laminitis and muscular problems.
Pedigree notes
Nashua is outcrossed through five generations. He is a full brother to Stavroula, dam of French Group 2 winner Wittgenstein (by Roi Dagobert), second dam of 1974 American Derby (USA-G1) winner Determined King, and fourth dam of 1996 Preakness Stakes (USA-G1) winner Louis Quatorze. He is also a half brother to 1953 Alabama Stakes winner Sabette (by Alsab), third dam of Peruvian champion sprinter Stratos.
Segula, the dam of Nashua, won nine of 49 starts and was third in the 1945 Coaching Club American Oaks. She was produced from the Sardanapale mare Sekhmet, whose other produce includes Scylla (by Sir Gallahad III), dam of multiple stakes winner Jumbo (by Menow), and Booklet (by Sir Gallahad III), dam of five stakes-winning colts in England. Two other full sisters to Scylla and Booklet are Graciously, dam of English stakes winner Eblouissante (by Bolero; dam of stakes winner Queen Ribot, by Ribot) and the stakes-winning hurdler Affable (by Ambiorix), and Solola, second dam of 1958 Long Branch Handicap winner Little Hermit and multiple Canadian stakes winner Musketeer Miss.
Books and media
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo by Joel Clyne Meadors, December 8, 1955. From the Keeneland Library Meadors Collection; used by permission. Please contact the Keeneland Library with any questions related to use or licensure of this photo.
Last updated: May 9, 2024
Race record
30 starts, 22 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third, US$1,288,565
1954:
- Won Futurity Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Belmont)
- Won Hopeful Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Saratoga)
- Won Grand Union Hotel Stakes (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
- Won Juvenile Stakes (USA, 5FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Cowdin Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Cherry Hill Stakes (USA, 5FD, Garden State)
- Also equaled the 6-furlong Belmont track record of 1:08-1/5 in an allowance race
1955:
- Won Preakness Stakes (USA, 9.5FD, Pimlico; new track record 1:54-3/5)
- Won Belmont Stakes (USA, 12FD, Belmont)
- Won Arlington Classic (USA, 8FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Flamingo Stakes (USA, 9FD, Hialeah)
- Won Florida Derby (USA, 9FD, Gulfstream Park)
- Won Wood Memorial Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Jamaica)
- Won match race w/Swaps (USA, Washington Park)
- Won Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA, 16FD, Belmont)
- Won Dwyer Stakes (USA, 10FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Kentucky Derby (USA, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- 3rd Sysonby Stakes (USA, 9FD, Belmont)
1956:
- Won Monmouth Handicap (USA, 10FD, Monmouth)
- Won Widener Handicap (USA, 10FD, Hialeah)
- Won Suburban Handicap (USA, 10FD, Belmont)
- Won Grey Lag Handicap (USA, 9FD, Jamaica)
- Won Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA, 16FD, Belmont; new American record 3:20-2/5)
- Won Camden Handicap (USA, 9FD, Garden State)
- 2nd Woodward Stakes (USA, 10FD, Belmont)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1965)
- Monmouth Park Hall of Champions
- American Horse of the Year (1955)
- American champion 2-year-old male (1954)
- American champion 3-year-old male (1955)
Assessments
Nashua was rated #24 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by an expert panel assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Ranked second among American older males of 1956 by The Blood-Horse.
Rated at 127 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1954, 1 pound below highweighted Summer Tan.
Co-highweighted with Swaps atop the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1955 at 130 pounds, 4 pounds more than third-rated Summer Tan.
Rated at 131 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1956, 1 pound below Horse of the Year Swaps.
As an individual
As described by Abram Hewitt in Sire Lines, "Nashua may have been the strongest, most powerful three-year-old seen on the American Turf since Man o' War." A big, rugged, rather plain-headed but well-made bay horse standing 16.2-1/4 hands, Nashua was inclined to loaf in many of his races although he was an enthusiastic worker in the mornings. He had a stayer's build but with exceptional power in the hips, set over textbook legs and feet. He had superb action and could act over any going. He was intelligent and generally good-natured but strong-willed and quirky during his racing days. He became more aggressive and dangerous as a stallion but had a solid bond with his longtime stud groom, Clem Brooks.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Nashua sired 433 winners (66.7%) and 77 stakes winners (11.9%) from 649 named foals. His progeny were typically plain but correct, sound and durable. Nashua is an Intermediate/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- 2nd on the American general sire list in 1964; 4th in 1970; 5th in 1968; 6th in 1967; 7th in 1966; 8th in 1965.
- 8th on the American broodmare sire list in 1982; 9th in 1980.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 2nd on the American general sire list in 1964; 8th in 1965.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 2nd on the American general sire list in 1964; 4th in 1970; 5th in 1968; 6th in 1967; 7th in 1966; 8th in 1965.
- 9th on the American broodmare sire list in 1980 and 1982; 10th in 1981.
- 2nd on the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1972.
Notable progeny
Beldale Ball (USA), Bramalea (USA), Diplomat Way (USA), Gold Digger (USA), Good Manners (USA), Marshua (USA), Nalee (USA), Noble Nashua (USA), Shuvee (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Clear Choice (USA), Destroyer (USA), Dismasted (USA), Lover John (USA), Meneval (USA), Mr. Prospector (USA), My Gallant (USA), Obraztsovy (USA), Roberto (USA), Tisab (USA), Treasure Girl (IND)
Connections
Nashua was bred and owned by Belair Stud, which was inherited by William Woodward, Jr., on the death of his father, William Woodward, Sr., in 1953. While the senior Woodward had intended to send Nashua to England for racing, the younger Woodward decided to focus his efforts on American racing, keeping Nashua in America. Between the colt's 3 and 4-year-old seasons, he was put up for sale following William Woodward Jr.'s death (his wife, who shot him, allegedly took him for a prowling burglar) and was sold to a syndicate headed by Leslie Combs II's Spendthrift Stud; he raced under lease to Combs as a 4-year-old. Nashua was trained by James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons. He stood in Kentucky at Spendthrift Farm throughout his stud career. He was pensioned due to failing health in early 1982 and was humanely destroyed not long afterward due to laminitis and muscular problems.
Pedigree notes
Nashua is outcrossed through five generations. He is a full brother to Stavroula, dam of French Group 2 winner Wittgenstein (by Roi Dagobert), second dam of 1974 American Derby (USA-G1) winner Determined King, and fourth dam of 1996 Preakness Stakes (USA-G1) winner Louis Quatorze. He is also a half brother to 1953 Alabama Stakes winner Sabette (by Alsab), third dam of Peruvian champion sprinter Stratos.
Segula, the dam of Nashua, won nine of 49 starts and was third in the 1945 Coaching Club American Oaks. She was produced from the Sardanapale mare Sekhmet, whose other produce includes Scylla (by Sir Gallahad III), dam of multiple stakes winner Jumbo (by Menow), and Booklet (by Sir Gallahad III), dam of five stakes-winning colts in England. Two other full sisters to Scylla and Booklet are Graciously, dam of English stakes winner Eblouissante (by Bolero; dam of stakes winner Queen Ribot, by Ribot) and the stakes-winning hurdler Affable (by Ambiorix), and Solola, second dam of 1958 Long Branch Handicap winner Little Hermit and multiple Canadian stakes winner Musketeer Miss.
Books and media
- Nashua is the eighth book in the Thoroughbred Legends series from Eclipse Press. It was written by Edward L. Bowen and was published in 2001.
- Nashua's rivalries with Summer Tan and Swaps were featured as the eighth chapter of Horse Racing's Greatest Rivalries (2008, Eclipse Press), a compilation produced by the staff of The Blood-Horse.
- Nashua is profiled in Chapter 31 of Abram Hewitt's Sire Lines (1977, The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders of America; updated and reprinted by Eclipse Press in 2006).
- Nashua is profiled in Chapter 8 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
- Nashua is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard and Byron Rogers.
- Nashua is one of 50 Thoroughbreds profiled in Royal Blood: Fifty Years of Classic Thoroughbreds. Written by racing historian Jim Bolus with illustrations and commentary by noted equine artist Richard Stone Reeves, the book was released by The Blood-Horse, Inc., in 1994.
Fun facts
- Nashua shares his name with an Irish-bred daughter of Nasrullah who won the 1952 Irish One Thousand Guineas.
- Nashua's barn name was "Mickey."
- Nashua was the fifth of jockey Eddie Arcaro's record six Preakness Stakes winners. The others were Whirlaway (1941), Citation (1948), Hill Prince (1950), Bold (1951) and Bold Ruler (1957).
- Nashua's match race with Swaps was ranked #6 in Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments, a review of racing in the 20th century compiled by The Blood-Horse and released in 2006. The death of Nashua's owner, William Woodward, Jr., also made the list at #99.
- Nashua made his final public appearance at Keeneland on October 18, 1956, a date officially proclaimed “Nashua Day” by Lexington mayor Shelby Kinkead.
- Leslie Combs II estimated that some 20,000 people a year came to see Nashua at Spendthrift Farm.
- The Nashua Stakes was inaugurated in 1975. It is currently a Grade 3 race for 2-year-olds over a mile on dirt at Aqueduct.
- Nashua set a single-season earnings record of US$752,550 at 3 and was the world's leading money-winning Thoroughbred at the time of his retirement.
- Spendthrift Farm named its main stallion barn the “Nashua Motel” in the great horse's honor.
- Nashua's grave is marked by a bronze statue of Nashua accompanied by Clem Brooks. The sculpture was created by Liza Todd and was unveiled on July 18, 1984.
- Brooks handed out thousands of autographed photographs showing him standing beside Nashua as souvenirs to Spendthrift visitors. He also sold Nashua's old horseshoes at US$2 each—so many that Spendthrift owner Leslie Combs II joked that Nashua would have had to have been a centipede to have worn them all.
Photo credit
Photo by Joel Clyne Meadors, December 8, 1955. From the Keeneland Library Meadors Collection; used by permission. Please contact the Keeneland Library with any questions related to use or licensure of this photo.
Last updated: May 9, 2024