Fawzi Nass has had an unassuageable passion for breeding, training and racing thoroughbreds. A Bahraini national, Nass is also the executive director of the prodigious Nass Group.
His top horses this season include, Laieth, Salute The Soldier and Mazzini.
“Salute's next target is the Gr.2 Zabeel Mile while Mazzini's aim is the 6f Turf Sprint on Super Saturday,” said the Nass.
“Our stable star in Bahrain is Port Lions who has won 4 races for us this season, including the Gr.2 Crown Prince Cup over 10f turf and his next aim, is the (US$1 million) Neom Turf Cup 2100 on the Saudi Cup Day.”
The wins of Krypton Factor, Jordan Sport, Mazzini and Nine Below Zero have earned Nass the nickname ‘Sprint King’.
“I got into racing from a young age in Bahrain. That ambition carried on in USA California in 1989 when I was there for university. Since then, I was always involved in racing.”
He won the prestigious Gr.2 Golden Shaheen on the Dubai World Cup undercard, with Krypton Factor in 2012 which he trained.
“My favourite horse has got to be Krypton Factor as he has given us an amazing thrill throughout his racing career including his win of the Golden Shaheen in 2012.”
“The first time I attended a DWC event was when I had my first runner in 2008. It was Nad Al Sheba at the time. Obviously, the development of the Dubai World Cup since then was phenomenal until it has become what it is today.”
But at the inception, he had horses in training in Dubai with top UAE’s trainer Doug Watson. They sampled success with Boston Lodge in the Gr3 Burj Nahaar(2007).
Nass has continued to grow his Bahrain-based string year on year.
“I still own and train about 40 horses in Bahrain. Bahrain racing is very competitive and improving every year.”
In addition to being a highly successful owner and trainer in Bahrain, Nass is also a member of the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club high committee.
“We had our first international race in 2019 and that should progress from there. I can see Bahrain holding a full day of international races by 2030 and a few other prestigious races during the season.”
Nass also owns horses with the Dubai syndicate EERC including Laieth, “I got involved with EERC since 2015. Obviously, I had known Justin Byrne and Rebecca for a while before that from the races in Dubai. Eventually, we decided to go, partners, if a few horses over the years. So far it has been a good partnership.”
Given his passion for thoroughbreds, he is not satisfied with just watching from the sidelines even when it comes to the purchase of horses. In a close partnership with international Fawzi Nass visits quite a few international sales as well, to purchase the right horses for his stable.
“I attend horse sales myself along with my Bloodstock agent Oliver St Lawrence who (has) assisted me for many years. I do buy horses in training for Bahrain and Dubai mainly from Tattersalls UK. I also buy yearlings to race in Europe or the U.S. from most of the European yearling sales and the September Keenland sale.
And then bringing in all back to the Dubai World Cup, his fondest memory goes back to the first Dubai World Cup race, won by Cigar.
“The race that springs to my mind when DWC is mentioned is the first one in 1996 when Cigar won. It was a huge event at the time and build up to it was very exciting.”
Nass aspires to win on Dubai World Cup Night, “I'm always on the look for horses to progress to DWC night runners. Not sure if we'll have any horses qualifying this year but we are still hopeful with Super Saturday approaching.”
As do many but it’s the game and not the result which excites Nass. And he will remain dedicated to the pursuit of thoroughbred excellence over the decades to come.