Hollie Doyle's Top Picks for 2026: Emerging Stars and Seasoned Contenders

As the flat season gains momentum, Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top ten horses to watch in 2026. Among them is Richard Hannon's five-year-old, who has shown remarkable improvement since autumn, with notable wins at Ascot and Doncaster. Another promising contender is a big son of New Bay, who gave Doyle a positive impression on his debut at Chelmsford City and is being aimed at a valuable spring handicap at Newbury. A three-year-old son of Caravaggio also made a stunning debut at Saint-Cloud, showcasing his potential as a future star. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett, who outran expectations in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy, is expected to develop into a serious Derby contender. Other notable mentions include William Haggas's Kingman son, a half-brother to Group 1 star King Of Change, and a filly who debuted with a win at Newbury and holds an entry in the Irish Oaks. Despite some setbacks, Archie Watson's son of Havana Grey has shown promise and could still become a stakes performer. Ed Walker's filly, a daughter of Starman, is another one to watch, having dominated her rivals in a Nottingham maiden and finishing strongly in the Group 2 Rockfel. Doyle's boss Archie Watson has high hopes for a son of Sea The Stars, who made a spectacular winning debut at Newcastle, while Karl Burke's son of Night Of Thunder is being aimed at the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes after a successful season.