Hollie Doyle's Top Picks for 2026: Rising Stars and Established Talent

Renowned jockey Hollie Doyle shares her excitement about the upcoming flat season, highlighting ten horses that have caught her attention. Among them is Richard Hannon's talented 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 eager to see how he will perform in Group company. Another notable mention is a promising debutant at Chelmsford City, who demonstrated great potential despite his inexperience. Doyle is looking forward to seeing how he will progress, with a potential start in a valuable spring handicap at Newbury. A three-year-old gelding, trained by Francis Graffard, also made a stunning debut at Saint-Cloud, showcasing his exceptional talent and earning comparisons to Calandagan. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett, who outran expectations in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy, is another horse Doyle believes has great potential, particularly over longer distances. William Haggas's Kingman colt, a half-brother to King Of Change, has also shown significant improvement and is highly regarded, with a potential entry in the Guineas. Doyle's husband, Tom Marquand, has a strong affinity for a filly who debuted with a win at Newbury and has a promising future ahead. Other notable mentions include a Lingfield maiden winner who has developed physically and is expected to become a stakes performer, a daughter of Starman who has shown great class, and a son of Sea The Stars who made a spectacular winning debut. Karl Burke's Night Of Thunder colt, a four-time winner, is also expected to make a strong impact in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.