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

As the flat season gains momentum, Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top picks for 2026, featuring a mix of promising newcomers and established stars. Richard Hannon's five-year-old has shown remarkable improvement since autumn, with notable wins at Ascot and Doncaster, and is expected to make a seamless transition into Group company. A big, impressive son of New Bay caught Doyle's attention with a strong debut performance at Chelmsford City, displaying great potential despite some greenness. Another standout is a three-year-old son of Caravaggio, who dazzled in his belated debut at Saint-Cloud, showcasing exceptional talent that has drawn comparisons to Calandagan. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett, who outran expectations in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy, is poised to become a serious Derby contender, particularly over longer distances. William Haggas's half-brother to King Of Change has also shown promise, with a notable debut at Newbury and a strong follow-up performance at Doncaster. Doyle's husband, Tom Marquand, has high praise for a filly who won her debut at Newbury, and despite her hefty price tag, she has the potential to live up to expectations. Archie Watson's son of Havana Grey, although still developing, has shown resilience and may yet become a stakes performer. Ed Walker's filly, a daughter of Starman, has already demonstrated her class with a dominant win at Nottingham and a strong showing in the Group 2 Rockfel at Newmarket. A son of Sea The Stars, trained by Archie Watson, made a stunning debut at Newcastle, and it will be intriguing to see how he performs in more challenging waters. Karl Burke's son of Night Of Thunder, who ended last season with a Group 2 win at Newmarket, is aiming for the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, making him one to watch.