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

Renowned Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top ten horses to look out for in the 2026 flat season. Richard Hannon's talented five-year-old has shown impressive form since autumn, winning a valuable handicap at Ascot and the Listed Cammidge Stakes at Doncaster. With his transition into Group company imminent, expectations are high. Another promising contender is the big son of New Bay, who gave Doyle a positive feel when scoring on debut at Chelmsford City. Despite his inexperience, he was in control throughout his 10f maiden and is expected to make progress. A three-year-old gelding from Aga Khan Studs also caught Doyle's attention with his stunning debut performance in a Saint-Cloud newcomers race, effortlessly outpacing his opponents over 1m. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett is another horse to watch, having made a strong claim for Classic contention with his performance in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy. William Haggas's son of Kingman, a half-brother to Group 1 star King Of Change, has also shown promise, particularly in his Newbury debut and Doncaster's Lincoln Meeting. Doyle's husband, Tom Marquand, has high praise for a filly who debuted with a win at Newbury and is closely related to Group stars My Oberon and My Prospero. Archie Watson's son of Havana Grey, despite feeling weak after his Coventry Stakes performance, has done well physically and is expected to develop into a stakes performer. Ed Walker's filly, a daughter of Starman, has shown class in her maiden win and Group 2 Rockfel performance, and is expected to see out 1m. Doyle'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, who won the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket, is also one to watch, with the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury being his target.