Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, has highlighted ten horses that have captured her imagination as the 2026 flat season gathers momentum. Below is a detailed look at each contender, why they stand out, and what we might expect from them as the year unfolds. 1.
Richard Hannon’s Five‑Year‑Old Since the autumn, this five‑year‑old has elevated his performance dramatically. He secured a valuable handicap victory at Ascot in October and then turned the tables on the higher‑rated Jasour in the Listed Cammidge Stakes at Doncaster on the first day of the flat campaign. Hannon’s operation has a proven track record of nurturing horses of this profile, and Doyle believes the colt is poised for a seamless step up into Group company.
If he continues on this trajectory, he could become a serious contender in mid‑season Group races. 2.
The Impressive New Bay Son A large, well‑bred son of New Bay impressed Doyle during his debut at Chelmsford City in early March. Despite being a green runner, he handled the ten‑furlong maiden with composure and displayed the potential to improve with experience. Joint‑trainer Jamie Insole is reportedly targeting a valuable spring handicap at Newbury, which could provide the perfect platform for the colt to showcase his stamina and class.
3. Caravaggio’s Prodigy from Saint‑Cloud The three‑year‑old made a striking late debut in a newcomers’ race at Saint‑Cloud at the end of March, taking the lead over a mile and holding off his rivals with apparent ease. Bred by Aga Khan Studs, the colt has already been compared to the celebrated Caledonian, a lofty endorsement that underscores his promise.
Under the guidance of Francis Graffard, he is expected to develop further, though his status as a gelding means he will not contribute to the breeding pool. 4. Aidan O’Brien’s Wootton Bassett Offspring Although not the stable’s primary hope for the Group 1 Futurity Trophy last autumn, this son of Wootton Bassett ran prominently and hinted at classic potential. He is out of Hydrangea, the champion filly from Ballydoyle’s Champions Day, which suggests he may stay longer distances and become a genuine Derby prospect.
Doyle anticipates that he will mature into a serious contender for the season’s middle‑distance classics. 5. William Haggas’s Kingman Progeny A half‑brother to Group 1 winner King Of Change, this Kingman colt showed promise in a Newbury debut in October, finishing a credible second.
He then improved further at Doncaster’s Lincoln Meeting, despite being heavily weighted in the closing stages. While his entry for the Guineas may not be acted upon, the mere fact that he was entered signals the high regard in which he is held by his connections. 6.
The Expensive Haggas Filly Backed by Tom Marquand Costing a staggering £1.7 million, this filly, trained by William Haggas, delivered a debut win at Newbury with jockey Tom Marquand aboard. She is closely related to Haggas’s Group stars My Oberon and My Prospero, suggesting a strong genetic foundation.
Doyle is eager to see Marquand continue his partnership with the filly, especially as she holds an entry for the Irish Oaks, a race that could cement her status among the top fillies of her generation. 7. Archie Watson’s Havana Grey Son After winning a maiden at Lingfield last summer, the colt ran poorly in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing well down the field. However, recent physical development and a solid performance in a Listed sprint at Deauville in early March indicate he is finding his stride.
Though still a bit rusty, he has not made any mistakes on the track and could evolve into a reliable stakes performer as the season progresses. 8. David Ward’s Starman Daughter David Ward hopes this daughter of the sprint ace Starman will become a headline act. Trained by Ed Walker, she displayed class in a six‑furlong Nottingham maiden last summer and subsequently finished strongly behind Zanthos in the Group 2 Rockfel at Newmarket.
A favourite of Kieran Shoemark, she is entered in the Guineas and appears capable of handling a mile, suggesting she may stay beyond sprint distances. 9.
Archie Watson’s Sea The Stars Colt This son of Sea The Stars delivered a spectacular debut win for Doyle at Newcastle, exceeding expectations with a dominant performance. While the colt’s talent was evident, the real test will be how he copes when stepped up in distance and class.
He is entered in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket, a race that could serve as a springboard for a summer campaign and possibly position him as a flag‑bearer for the yard. 10. Karl Burke’s Night Of Thunder Progeny The final horse on Doyle’s list is a son of Night Of Thunder who finished unbeaten in four starts, culminating with a convincing win in the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket in September.
He beat Godolphin’s highly rated Opera Ballo, underscoring his quality. According to Karl Burke, the colt wintered well and is now aimed at the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, a logical target that could cement his status as a top‑class miler.
These ten horses represent a blend of proven talent, promising pedigree, and exciting potential. Hollie Doyle’s insights, shared with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, provide a valuable roadmap for fans and punters alike as the 2026 flat season unfolds. Each contender brings a unique story and a chance to make a mark on the racing calendar, whether by stepping up to Group level, targeting classic distances, or establishing themselves as future breeding stars.