Hollie Doyle, one of Sky Sports Racing’s most recognizable ambassadors, knows exactly what it takes to conquer the Group 1 Nassau Stakes – she tasted victory herself aboard Nashwa in 2022. This Thursday she offers a detailed preview of the upcoming renewal, which promises to be a highlight of the Qatar Goodwood Festival’s third day. The centerpiece of the Qatar Goodwood Festival on Thursday is the Nassau Stakes (run at 3:35 p.m.), a premier fillies’ Group 1 contest that will feature a very small field of just five runners. At the heart of the betting market is the brilliant filly Diamond Necklace, a daughter of the unbeaten St Mark’s Basilica and a product of Aidan O’Brien’s renowned yard.
Official ratings place her only a fraction ahead of her nearest challengers – Friendly Soul and See The Fire – but she also enjoys a nine‑pound weight‑for‑age allowance, giving her a clear edge. Diamond Necklace has already secured multiple Group 1 victories and proved her stamina over ten furlongs when she triumphed in the French Oaks on a fast, firm surface – the quickest ground she has ever encountered. The forecast for Goodwood suggests a softer, more testing going, but her proven ability to handle a range of conditions should see her adapt without difficulty. If she does under‑perform, the most likely beneficiary would be Friendly Soul, a mare with a strong pedigree and a reputation for stepping up when the odds shift.
Friendly Soul, trained by the accomplished John and Thady Gosden partnership, has already added a Group 1 win to her résumé. She displayed a striking performance in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race that marked her return after a lengthy spell away from the track.
Her form suggests she could exploit any weakness shown by Diamond Necklace and take advantage of the relatively light weight she will carry. The third contender, See The Fire, is an Andrew Balding‑trained filly who looked impressive in the Middleton Stakes at York in May. She narrowly missed out on victory in the Nassau two years ago, but her recent record at the highest level has been less encouraging, now extending to a 13‑run losing streak. Nevertheless, her experience over the distance cannot be dismissed, and a well‑timed run could see her turn the tables.
Beyond the Nassau Stakes, the card includes a host of other intriguing races. In the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, Kalpana will take on Calandagan in a clash that promises to be a classic test of stamina and class. Meanwhile, legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the recent King’s Birthday Honours, a testament to his enduring contribution to the sport.
The Epsom Derby also looms large, with Benvenuto Cellini leading a four‑strong Aidan O’Brien contingent for the classic. Kevin Blake of At The Races has released his picks for Derby day, while former jockey Levi Williams faces a jail sentence after being convicted of manslaughter – a stark reminder of life beyond the track. 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 and is now poised for the Group 2 Markel Richmond Stakes (2:25). Trained by Richard Hannon, the colt was only a length behind the highly regarded Great Barrier Reef in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, indicating he possesses the speed and composure to challenge the favourite, Flann Sunna, who has yet to prove himself against top‑class opposition.
Sean Levey’s mount appears well‑placed on the weight‑for‑age scale, according to official ratings, and could be a serious contender for the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York next month. I would also love to see Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Night In Vegas perform strongly; after a solid spring campaign and a close finish behind Cut A Dash in the Coventry, he has the credentials to compete at a higher level. In the Group 3 Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes (3:00) at Epsom, fourth‑placed Derby runner Bay Of Brilliance is set to make a retrieval run after a disappointing effort in the German equivalent.
While his form is the strongest in the field, I lean towards Joseph O’Brien’s progressive colt Enceladus, who could stake a claim for the world’s oldest classic, the St Leger. The King George V Stakes winner, who defeated Al Azd at the Royal Meeting, will now step up to Pattern company over the same twelve‑furlong distance in the Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap (1:50).
Despite a challenging draw, I still believe he can make a significant impact. Another intriguing story comes from the Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap where my husband Tom (riding for Marquand) will face a tough challenge from stall 14, occupied by Jack Channon’s colt who performed admirably on his first attempt at the Nottingham trip behind Heraldry – a horse I rate highly. Sean Woods’s Savvy Disko, starting from a wide draw, also merits attention. After a strong showing over a slightly shorter distance at Lingfield, he should be able to handle the extra nine‑pound penalty in this hotter race, especially with Billy Loughnane aboard.
In the Whispering Angel Nursery Handicap (4:45), Richard Hannon and Sean Levey’s partnership, which also produced Cut A Dash, gives us Shadow King as a leading contender. He must overcome a penalty for his recent Doncaster win over a shorter trip, but the seven‑furlong distance at Goodwood suits him perfectly, and a favourable low draw could see him improve markedly. Finally, The Bookkeeper, trained by former stable jockey Richard Hughes, delivered a respectable run in the Woodcote at Epsom, suggesting he will handle the Goodwood surface with confidence.
Ryan Moore is also a strong booking for the son of Sioux Nation, who is well‑positioned in the field. I will return on Friday with my analysis of the next card, which features the Group 2 sprint, the King George Qatar Stakes, and the Coral Golden Mile Handicap. Hollie Doyle’s insights, captured in her conversation with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, continue to provide fans with a deep, insider’s perspective on the sport.