Hollie Doyle's Top Picks for 2026: Rising Stars and Seasoned Champions

As the flat season gains momentum, Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top ten horses to watch in 2026. Richard Hannon's five-year-old has demonstrated significant improvement since autumn, securing a valuable handicap at Ascot and outperforming Jasour in the Listed Cammidge Stakes at Doncaster. With his impressive form, a seamless transition into Group company is anticipated. Another promising contender is the big son of New Bay, who made a notable debut at Chelmsford City, showcasing control and potential for further growth. Joint-trainer Jamie Insole has set his sights on a valuable spring handicap at Newbury for this talented horse. A three-year-old gelding, sired by Caravaggio, left a lasting impression with his debut performance at Saint-Cloud, effortlessly surpassing his opponents over 1m. With his impressive display, he is being touted as a star in the making for Aga Khan Studs, and his performance will be closely watched under the guidance of Francis Graffard. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett, despite not being the stable's top choice for the Group 1 Futurity Trophy, made a remarkable showing, leading from the start and establishing himself as a potential Classic contender. As the son of Hydrangea, he is expected to thrive over longer distances, making him a serious Derby prospect. William Haggas's son of Kingman, a half-brother to Group 1 star King Of Change, has demonstrated considerable promise, particularly in his Newbury debut and subsequent performance at Doncaster's Lincoln Meeting. Although his Guineas entry may not be pursued, it highlights the high regard in which he is held. A filly, purchased for 1.7m gns, has a significant price tag to live up to but has shown immense potential, with her debut win at Newbury and promising lineage as a close relative of Group stars My Oberon and My Prospero. Her partnership with Tom Marquand will be one to watch, especially with an entry in the Irish Oaks. A son of Havana Grey, despite a lackluster performance in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, has developed physically and shown improvement in his comeback run at Deauville, indicating potential for stakes performance. Ed Walker's filly, a daughter of Starman, has already demonstrated her class, dominating a 6f Nottingham maiden and finishing strongly in the Group 2 Rockfel at Newmarket. With her entry in the Guineas, she is poised to make a significant impact. Archie Watson's son of Sea The Stars made a spectacular debut, and it will be intriguing to see how he fares in more challenging competitions, with the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket being his next target. Karl Burke's son of Night Of Thunder has consistently impressed, culminating in a Group 2 Joel Stakes win at Newmarket, and is now aimed at the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, a fitting objective for the early part of the year.