As the flat season gains momentum, Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top picks for 2026, featuring a mix of promising newcomers and established stars. One notable contender is Richard Hannon's five-year-old, who has shown significant improvement since autumn, with impressive wins at Ascot and Doncaster. His transition into Group company is highly anticipated. Another exciting prospect is a big son of New Bay, who debuted nicely at Chelmsford City and is being aimed at a valuable spring handicap at Newbury.
A three-year-old son of Caravaggio also made a stunning debut at Saint-Cloud, showcasing his potential as a future star. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett, who outran expectations in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy, is expected to develop into a serious Derby contender. William Haggas's son of Kingman, a half-brother to King Of Change, has shown promise and could see significant improvement.
A filly purchased for 1.7m gns, closely related to My Oberon and My Prospero, is another highly regarded prospect, with an entry in the Irish Oaks. Other notable mentions include a son of Havana Grey, who has shown potential despite being on the weak side, and a daughter of Starman, who could follow in her sire's footsteps as a top sprinter.
A son of Sea The Stars made a spectacular debut and will be tested in deeper waters, while Karl Burke's son of Night Of Thunder is aiming for the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes after a successful season. These horses are sure to make an impact in the racing world this year.