Hollie Doyle's Top Picks for 2026: Exciting Horses to Watch

Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top 10 horses to watch in 2026 as the flat season gets underway. Richard Hannon's five-year-old has shown significant improvement since autumn, winning a valuable handicap at Ascot and the Listed Cammidge Stakes at Doncaster. Hollie expects a smooth transition into Group company for this promising horse. Another notable mention is a big son of New Bay, who gave Hollie a nice feel when scoring on debut at Chelmsford City. Despite his greenness, he was well in control in his 10f maiden and is expected to kick on. A three-year-old son of Caravaggio also impressed Hollie with his belated debut performance in a Saint-Cloud newcomers race, toying with his opposition over 1m and showing great potential. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett made a strong claim for the Classic after making virtually all the running in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy. He's out of Ballydoyle's Champions Day Fillies' and Mares' heroine Hydrangea and is expected to develop into a serious Derby contender. William Haggas's son of Kingman, a half-brother to Group 1 star King Of Change, has shown promise, and Hollie is expecting significant improvement. A filly partnered by Hollie's husband Tom Marquand to a debut win at Newbury has a hefty price tag to live up to but still has great potential. Archie Watson's son of Havana Grey has done well physically since his last run and shaped well enough in his comeback run. Ed Walker's filly, a daughter of Starman, could be a headline horse for David Ward, having been too classy for her rivals in a 6f Nottingham maiden. Hollie's boss Archie Watson has been patient with a son of Sea The Stars, who made a spectacular winning debut at Newcastle. Karl Burke's son of Night Of Thunder has wintered well and is aiming for the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.