Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her list of top horses to watch in 2026 as the flat season gains momentum. Richard Hannon's promising five-year-old has elevated his performance since autumn, securing a notable handicap win at Ascot and a Listed Cammidge Stakes victory at Doncaster.
Doyle anticipates a seamless transition into Group company for this talented horse. Another standout is a big son of New Bay, who made a impressive debut at Chelmsford City, showcasing his potential despite some greenness.
His joint-trainer, Jamie Insole, has set his sights on a valuable spring handicap at Newbury. A three-year-old son of Caravaggio also caught Doyle's attention with a remarkable debut performance in a Saint-Cloud newcomers race, demonstrating his potential as a future star.
Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett, who made a strong showing in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy, is expected to develop into a serious Derby contender. Other notable mentions include a Kingman son, who has shown improvement under William Haggas, and a filly who made a winning debut at Newbury, partnered by Tom Marquand.
Despite being costly, she has the potential to live up to her hefty price tag. Archie Watson's son of Havana Grey, who won a Lingfield maiden, is also expected to progress into a stakes performer. Ed Walker's filly, a daughter of Starman, has already demonstrated her classiness in a 6f Nottingham maiden and is being aimed at the Guineas. Doyle's boss, Archie Watson, has high hopes for a Sea The Stars son, who made a spectacular winning debut at Newcastle.
Karl Burke's son of Night Of Thunder, who won the Group 2 Joel Stakes, is also expected to make a strong impact in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.