Renowned jockey Hollie Doyle shares her top picks for the 2026 flat season, featuring a mix of promising newcomers and established stars. Doyle, a Sky Sports Racing ambassador, highlights ten horses that have caught her attention, including several with strong potential for the upcoming season. One notable mention is a five-year-old trained by Richard Hannon, who has shown significant improvement since autumn, winning a valuable handicap at Ascot and the Listed Cammidge Stakes at Doncaster. Another exciting prospect is a debut winner at Chelmsford City, a big son of New Bay who demonstrated impressive control in his maiden race.
Doyle also expresses enthusiasm for a three-year-old gelding who made a stunning debut at Saint-Cloud, effortlessly outpacing his opponents over 1m. This impressive performance has already led to comparisons with Calandagan, and Doyle believes he has the potential to become a star in the making under the guidance of Francis Graffard. Other notable mentions include a son of Wootton Bassett trained by Aidan O'Brien, who showed promising form in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy and is expected to develop into a serious Derby contender.
Additionally, Doyle highlights a half-brother to King Of Change, who has shown improvement in his recent performances, and a filly who made a winning debut at Newbury and holds an entry in the Irish Oaks. With a mix of seasoned competitors and fresh faces, these horses are sure to make an impact in the 2026 flat season.