Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle is looking forward to the 2026 flat season with a slew of promising horses. One of the standouts is Richard Hannon's five-year-old, who has shown impressive form since autumn, winning a valuable handicap at Ascot and the Listed Cammidge Stakes at Doncaster. With his ability to transition into Group company, he's an exciting prospect. Another notable horse is a lovely big son of New Bay, who gave Doyle a nice feel when scoring on debut at Chelmsford City.
Despite his greenness, he was well in control and could be one to watch. A three-year-old son of Caravaggio also made a belated debut performance in a Saint-Cloud newcomers race, toying with his opposition and showing great potential. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett is another contender, having made virtually all the running in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy and staking his claim for the Classics. William Haggas's son of Kingman, a half-brother to Group 1 star King Of Change, is also highly regarded, having shown improvement in his Newbury debut and Doncaster's Lincoln Meeting.
A filly partnered by Tom Marquand to a debut win at Newbury has a hefty price tag to live up to, but with her relation to Group stars My Oberon and My Prospero, she's one to watch. 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 too classy for her rivals in a 6f Nottingham maiden and gives the impression she'll see out 1m. A son of Sea The Stars made a spectacular winning debut for Doyle at Newcastle, and it'll 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, is aiming for the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. With these horses, the 2026 flat season is shaping up to be an exciting one.