As the flat season gets underway, Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top ten horses to watch in 2026. Richard Hannon's five-year-old 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 talented horse. Another notable mention 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 and can hopefully build on this performance. A three-year-old son of Caravaggio also caught Doyle's attention with a belated debut performance in a Saint-Cloud newcomers race, toying with his opposition over 1m. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett is another horse to watch, having made a strong claim for the Classic after making virtually all the running in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy. William Haggas's son of Kingman, a half-brother to Group 1 star King Of Change, is expected to develop into a serious Derby contender.
Doyle's husband Tom Marquand partnered a debut-winning filly at Newbury, who has a hefty price tag to live up to but still has the world at her feet. A son of Havana Grey, despite winning a Lingfield maiden, still felt weak when finishing down the field in the Coventry Stakes but has done well physically since.
Ed Walker's filly, a daughter of Starman, could be a headline horse for David Ward, having been too classy for her rivals in a 6f Nottingham maiden. A son of Sea The Stars made a spectacular winning debut for Doyle at Newcastle, and it will be interesting to see how he copes 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 racing world this year.