Hollie Doyle's Top Horses to Watch in 2026: Derby Contenders and International Stars

As the flat season gets underway, Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top picks for 2026, featuring a mix of promising newcomers and seasoned performers. One standout is Richard Hannon's five-year-old, who has shown impressive form since autumn, including a win at Ascot and a strong performance in the Listed Cammidge Stakes at Doncaster. Doyle expects this horse to transition smoothly into Group company. Another notable mention is a debut winner at Chelmsford City, a big son of New Bay who showed promise despite his greenness and is being aimed at a valuable spring handicap at Newbury. A three-year-old gelding from Aga Khan Studs also caught Doyle's attention with a stunning debut performance in a Saint-Cloud newcomers race, demonstrating exceptional talent and potential. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett, who made a strong impression in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy, is another horse to watch, particularly over longer distances. William Haggas's half-brother to King Of Change and a filly with a hefty price tag, who has already shown promise with a debut win at Newbury, are also among Doyle's top picks. Other notable mentions include a Coventry Stakes participant who has shown improvement since last summer, a daughter of Starman with potential to become a headline horse, and a son of Sea The Stars who made a spectacular winning debut at Newcastle. Karl Burke's son of Night Of Thunder, who won the Group 2 Joel Stakes, rounds out Doyle's list, with the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury as his target.