As the flat season gets underway, Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top ten horses to watch in 2026. Richard Hannon's 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 to Group company imminent, Doyle expects a smooth progression.
Another notable mention is a big son of New Bay, who debuted at Chelmsford City and showed great potential despite his inexperience. Joint-trainer Jamie Insole has a valuable spring handicap in mind for him at Newbury.
A three-year-old son of Caravaggio also made a stunning debut at Saint-Cloud, toying with his opposition and showing signs of becoming a star. Trained by Francis Graffard, this gelding has already garnered significant attention. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett, who made all the running in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy, is another Derby contender to watch. William Haggas's son of Kingman, a half-brother to Group 1 star King Of Change, has also shown promise, as has a filly who debuted at Newbury and has a hefty price tag to live up to.
Despite a slow start, a son of Havana Grey has done well physically and shaped well in his comeback run, while a daughter of Starman could become a headline horse for David Ward. A son of Sea The Stars made a spectacular winning debut at Newcastle, and Archie Watson's patience with him will be put to the test in deeper waters.
Karl Burke's son of Night Of Thunder, who made it four from four in the Group 2 Joel Stakes, is also one to watch, with the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury as his target.