Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, jockey Hollie Doyle, is busy at Newmarket’s Craven meeting this week, highlighted by an intriguing ride on Derby prospect Wareeth in the Listed Feilden Stakes. The upcoming Wednesday race will be the first real test for Wareeth at the Group level, and it could reveal whether the colt has the credentials to become a serious Derby candidate.
The Feilden Stakes, run over 2 miles and a quarter, offers an extra furlong that should suit the son of Sea The Stars nicely. After a dominant novice victory over a mile at Newcastle last month—where he won by an impressive fourteen lengths—Wareeth is stepping up in both distance and class. Although he does not yet hold a formal Derby entry, the connections, led by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, have been thrilled with his debut performance. Doyle noted that the horse felt comfortable under saddle last week, but she emphasized that the true measure of his ability will come in this second start.
A key rival in the race is Aidan O’Brien’s Isaac Newton, a colt with a touch more experience. Isaac Newton broke his maiden at Goodwood and then produced a credible fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Critérium de Saint‑Cloud in the autumn. He does hold a Derby entry and currently carries an official rating of 106, setting a benchmark for the other participants.
Another Derby‑linked youngster is Godolphin’s Poseidon’s Warrior, who, like Wareeth, is moving up from novice company after a win over the same distance at Goodwood. All three colts—Wareeth, Isaac Newton and Poseidon’s Warrior—are slated to contest the traditional Derby trial, the Group 2 Dante at York, next month, providing a clear pathway toward the Epsom classic. In addition to the Derby prospects, Doyle rode Heather Main’s sprinter Zoulou Chief in the Weatherbys With Venatour Racing Handicap (1 mile 50 yards) on Wednesday.
Zoulou Chief had previously shown a brilliant turn of foot at Newmarket in the autumn and has been a regular fixture on the all‑weather circuit, picking up a win around Wolverhampton and then delivering a hard‑fought dead‑heat with the Listed runner Completely Random at Lingfield. Now, as a five‑year‑old approaching his peak, he carries a few extra pounds compared to his best winning effort at York in 2023, yet still looks the makings of a 90‑pound handicaper. Doyle also spent time on Jane Chapple‑Hyam’s outsider Harlequin Breeze, a filly who will contest the Group 3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes (3 ⅜ furlongs) on Wednesday. Despite modest odds, Harlequin Breeze, a daughter of New Bay, has shown promising form, finishing a neck behind William Haggas’s well‑regarded Zooming in a Betfred 1000 Guineas trial.
Although she remains a maiden after three starts, each run has shown improvement, and her determination over both course and distance in November left a strong impression on the jockey. The National Stud Handicap (5 ⅞ furlongs) will see Doyle mount IMPOSSIBLE MISSION, a three‑year‑old who must prove his turf ability after a successful all‑weather campaign.
The colt debuted with a win under Neil Callan at Wolverhampton in November and was a little too keen in a subsequent run, suggesting there is still work to be done before he can compete effectively on grass. Des Donovan’s LADY FIZZ will take the spotlight in the Molson Coors British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (4 ½ furlongs). This debutante, out of a ten‑furlong winner by Golden Horn, will face fillies from powerful yards over a mile—a distance that may prove a stepping stone for her future development.
Looking ahead to Thursday, Doyle will ride Marco Botti’s Shergar Cup winner PRINCE OF INDIA in the Zyn Abernant Stakes (3 furlongs). Although this will be her first time riding him on the track, she has previously worked with him on the gallops and was impressed by his powerful build and sprinting potential. The colt, a son of Wootton Bassett, recently finished a creditable comeback in the Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton, suggesting he could be a real threat in summer sprint contests.
Hawk Mountain is another horse Doyle has high expectations for. The son of Wootton Bassett, already a Group 1 Futurity Trophy winner at Doncaster, will contest the Group 3 Betway Craven Stakes (3 ⅜ furlongs) at Newmarket on Thursday.
Doyle hopes the colt will deliver a winning return after a solid performance in the Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes last month, bolstering his Derby credentials. Karl Burke’s Boiling Point will also return to turf in the Group 3 Betway Earl of Sefton Stakes (3 furlongs) on Wednesday. The Cambridgeshire winner, who may have needed a winter run in the Derby, is now positioned to establish himself as a genuine Pattern performer this season. Throughout the week, Doyle will be providing insights to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, sharing her observations on the horses, the races, and the broader implications for the upcoming classic season.
Her commentary will help fans understand which youngsters are emerging as genuine Derby prospects and which sprinters could dominate the summer program.