Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, knows exactly what it takes to succeed in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes after guiding Nashwa to victory in 2022. In this preview she breaks down Thursday’s renewal on a glittering Goodwood card, offering insight into the key contenders and the tactical nuances that could shape the outcome. The Qatar Goodwood Festival’s third day culminates with the Qatar Nassau Stakes (3:35) – a prestigious fillies’ Group 1 race that now hinges on the brilliance of Diamond Necklace. The filly will line up against only four rivals, making the contest appear almost like a showcase for the Irish-bred star.
Diamond Necklace, a daughter of the unbeaten St Mark’s Basilica and trained by Aidan O’Brien, holds a marginal edge over her closest competitors Friendly Soul and See The Fire according to the official ratings. While the ratings are tight, Diamond Necklace is still on a clear upward trajectory and benefits from a nine‑pound weight‑for‑age allowance, which should give her a tangible advantage over the older fillies.
Having already secured multiple Group 1 victories, Diamond Necklace proved her stamina over the ten‑furlong distance in the French Oaks, conquering the quickest ground she has ever encountered. That performance suggests she will handle the softer, forecast‑laden conditions expected on the Goodwood Downs with ease. Her turn of foot, combined with a powerful cruising speed, makes her the horse to beat. If Diamond Necklace falters, the most likely beneficiary will be Friendly Soul.
The mare possesses a deep reservoir of class and has shown the ability to step up when the race tempo changes. Friendly Soul, trained by John and Thady Gosden, displayed an eye‑catching run in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race that marked her first start after a lengthy spell. That form indicates she can recycle her speed and sustain it over the Nassau distance. The third challenger, See The Fire, comes from the stable of Andrew Balding.
She put in a solid performance in the Middleton Stakes at York in May and was a close second in this same Nassau two years ago. However, it is worth noting that her recent record at the top level has slipped, with a string of 13 starts without a win. While she still carries the experience of competing against elite company, her form suggests she may struggle to match the pace set by Diamond Necklace.
Beyond the Nassau, the day features a host of other intriguing stories. At Ascot, Kalpana edged out Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, while legendary jockey Ryan Moore was honored with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. In the Derby conversation, Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑strong Aidan O’Brien contingent, and Kevin Blake of At The Races shares his picks for Derby day.
Turning to the two‑year‑old division, my personal favorite remains Cut A Dash, who burst onto the scene with a debut win at York. He is set to contest the Group 2 Markel Richmond Stakes (2:25) on Thursday.
Richard Hannon’s colt was only a length behind Great Barrier Reef in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, a form line that suggests he could overturn the odds‑on favourite Flann Sunna, whose two wins at Windsor and Ascot have not been particularly impressive. Sean Levey’s mount also appears well‑placed, benefitting from a favourable weight assignment alongside Simon and Ed Crisford’s colt.
If all goes to plan, this could be a stepping stone toward a probable tilt at the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York next month. I would also love to see Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Night In Vegas perform admirably. The colt, a proven course and distance winner in the spring, finished just behind Cut A Dash in the Coventry, confirming his credentials for a big race.
In the older division, Bay Of Brilliance, who finished fourth in the Epsom Derby, is targeting the Group 3 Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes (3:00) on Thursday. After a disappointing run in the German equivalent, he is on a retrieval mission. While his form is solid, I lean toward Joseph O’Brien’s progressive colt Enceladus, who can stake a strong claim for the world’s oldest Classic – the St Leger.
The racing news platform reminds fans to stay connected via mobile for the latest stories, interviews, and features. Enceladus’s win in the King George V Stakes at the Royal Meeting was only marginally beaten by runner‑up Al Azd, and I anticipate he will maintain his unbeaten record this year as he steps up to Pattern company over the same twelve‑furlong distance. The draw for the Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap (1:50) has not been kind to Decade Of Time, yet I still see him making an impact in the curtain‑raiser. My husband Tom (Marquand) faces a challenge from stall 14, where Jack Channon’s colt performed respectably on his first attempt at this distance at Nottingham, finishing behind Heraldry – a horse I rate highly.
Another intriguing runner is Sean Woods’s Savvy Disko, who surged forward over a slightly shorter trip at Lingfield. With Billy Loughnane aboard, he could handle a nine‑pound higher mark in this hotter race and produce a respectable performance.
Richard Hannon and Sean Levey, who combine with Cut A Dash in the Richmond, also have strong claims in the Whispering Angel Nursery Handicap (4:45) with Shadow King. Despite a penalty for his recent Doncaster win over a shorter trip, the seven‑furlong distance appears ideal, and he seems poised for improvement, especially from a low draw.
The Bookkeeper, trained by former stable jockey Richard Hughes, delivered a nice run in the Woodcote at Epsom, suggesting the track should pose no problem. Ryan Moore is a strong booking for the son of Sioux Nation, who is also well‑positioned. I will return on Friday with thoughts on the next card, which features the big Group 2 sprint – the King George Qatar Stakes – and the Coral Golden Mile Handicap. Until then, Hollie Doyle’s insights, shared with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, provide a compelling preview of what promises to be an exciting day at Goodwood.