Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top 10 horses to watch in 2026 as the flat season gets underway. Among them 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. Doyle expects a smooth transition into Group company for this horse. Another promising horse is a 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 in his 10f maiden and is expected to kick on. A three-year-old son of Caravaggio also made a belated debut performance in a Saint-Cloud newcomers race, toying with his opposition over 1m and looking like a star in the making.
Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett, who made all the running in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy, is also expected to develop into a serious Derby contender. Other notable horses include a son of Kingman, a half-brother to Group 1 star King Of Change, and a filly who debuted with a win at Newbury and has a hefty price tag to live up to. Doyle's husband, Tom Marquand, partners with the filly, who holds an entry in the Irish Oaks. Archie Watson's son of Havana Grey, who won a Lingfield maiden and shaped well in his comeback run, is another horse to watch.
A daughter of Starman, who was too classy for her rivals in a 6f Nottingham maiden, is also expected to make a name for herself. A son of Sea The Stars, who made a spectacular winning debut, will now be tested 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. These horses are sure to make an impact in the 2026 flat season.