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

Renowned Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top ten horses to look out for in the upcoming 2026 flat season. Among them is Richard Hannon's five-year-old, who has shown remarkable improvement since autumn, winning a valuable handicap at Ascot and the Listed Cammidge Stakes at Doncaster. Doyle is optimistic about his transition into Group company. Another promising horse is the lovely big son of New Bay, who scored on debut at Chelmsford City, displaying a nice feel despite his greenness. Joint-trainer Jamie Insole has a valuable spring handicap in mind for him at Newbury. Doyle was impressed by the three-year-old son of Caravaggio, who made a belated debut at Saint-Cloud, toying with his opposition and showing potential as a star in the making. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett also caught her attention, having made all the running in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy and staking his claim for the Classics. With a promising pedigree, he 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, showed improvement in his Newbury debut and Doncaster's Lincoln Meeting, despite being carried off line. His Guineas entry highlights his potential. My husband Tom (Marquand) partnered a filly to a debut win at Newbury, who has a hefty price tag but still has great potential, being closely related to Group stars My Oberon and My Prospero. Archie Watson's son of Havana Grey, despite feeling weak after winning a Lingfield maiden, has done well physically and shaped well in his comeback run. Ed Walker's filly, a daughter of Starman, was impressive in a 6f Nottingham maiden and had a strong field well beaten when finishing close behind Zanthos in the Group 2 Rockfel. My boss Archie Watson's son of Sea The Stars made a spectacular winning debut, and it will be interesting to see how he copes in deeper waters. Karl Burke's son of Night Of Thunder, who made it four from four in the Group 2 Joel Stakes, has wintered well and is aiming for the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.