Diamond Necklace lived up to the lofty expectations placed upon her by delivering a commanding performance in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, extending her flawless record to six wins from six starts. After capping a perfect two‑year‑old season with a triumph in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend at Longchamp, Aidan O'Brien’s filly returned to France and secured back‑to‑back Classic victories this year, first in the French 1,000 Guineas and then in the French Oaks.
She entered the Goodwood race as a short‑priced 4‑6 favourite, eager to test herself against older horses for the first time. Despite a determined challenge from the older mare Friendly Soul, who tried to unsettle her, Ryan Moore rode Diamond Necklace with his usual poise and confidence. The filly surged away, winning by two and three‑quarter lengths with apparent ease.
Moore, clearly impressed, remarked that the race felt like the best she had ever performed, noting that she seemed to be improving with each run. He added that trainer Aidan O'Brien had mentioned a slight increase in her weight for the day, but that she appeared to thrive on the added strength.
"She’s a classy filly, it was very easy really," Moore said. "She travelled smoothly, quickened nicely and, although she can be a little idle up front, she is a true racing machine. Every time I’ve ridden her she shows tremendous pace, enthusiasm and a turn of foot – a trait she inherits from her sire, St Mark’s Basilica." O'Brien also expressed his delight at seeing Diamond Necklace maintain her unbeaten streak. He praised her progress and noted that she carried a heavier weight on the day, but that work rider Rachel Richardson believed the extra weight was simply a sign of growing strength.
He highlighted the quality of her performance over a mile and a quarter against older fillies, emphasizing that the race was far from a “Mickey Mouse” affair and that the filly now possesses multiple options for the remainder of the season. "You can see her class in the way she travels through a race," O'Brien said. "Ryan wanted to let her lead longer, but her stride was breaking down, and she kept cruising.
She has a long stride, loves good ground and a fast track, and she can handle both soft and firm surfaces. She could stay at a mile and a quarter for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, or head to France for an Arc trial. The Arc itself is a possibility, and she could even target the Breeders’ Cup if we feel she can stretch further.
Her next run will tell us where she is headed." The betting market responded quickly, shortening her odds for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe from 14/1 to 8/1, though O'Brien has not yet committed to extending her stamina beyond ten furlongs. He reiterated that Diamond Necklace has a plethora of routes available, from a mile and a quarter in Ireland to a potential Arc trial in France, and that she handles a variety of ground conditions with equal aplomb.
Friendly Soul, the runner‑up, has endured a turbulent season, having suffered a foot injury at Haydock and a disappointing run in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. Trainer Thady Gosden praised her effort, calling it a fine race against a top‑class, unbeaten three‑year‑old. He said the team will now consult owners George and Julia Strawbridge about future plans, noting that there are several attractive opportunities for older fillies.
In other news from Goodwood, Joseph O'Brien kept his options open after Enceladus, his Sea The Stars colt, won authoritatively in the Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes. Enceladus, who has improved markedly after being stepped up in distance, previously claimed a comeback victory at Cork and succeeded at Royal Ascot in the King George V Stakes. Sent off as a 6‑4 favourite, Enceladus finished strongly under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, beating Geryon by a length and a quarter. Betfred, the Classic sponsor, offered Enceladus 10‑1 odds for the St Leger, a race where O'Brien famously broke his British Classic trainer duck six years ago with Galileo Chrome.
However, O'Brien cautioned that a St Leger appearance is not certain; he prefers to assess the colt’s progress after his next run before committing to a mile‑and‑a‑half target. Speaking to the Press Association from Galway, O'Brien praised the colt’s performance, describing it as a “nice ride from Dylan” and emphasizing that Enceladus is a progressive, improving horse. He highlighted the significance of stepping up in class and expressed optimism about the colt’s potential for Maria and the Niarchos family.
McMonagle echoed the trainer’s sentiments, calling Enceladus a “lovely, big, straightforward horse” who has shown consistent improvement with each outing. He believes the colt is capable of competing at Group Two and Group One level with a little more time and experience, noting that the horse handles the ground well and possesses genuine class.
Colin Keane, who rode the runner‑up Geryon, admitted he thought his mount might catch Enceladus in the final strides, but the winner pulled away. He described Enceladus as “smart” and a “work in progress” who wears earplugs to stay relaxed, suggesting that the colt has a bright future ahead. Overall, the day at Goodwood highlighted the depth of talent among the younger generation of thoroughbreds.
Diamond Necklace confirmed her status as a top‑class filly with a versatile pedigree and the ability to dominate both her own age group and older rivals. Enceladus demonstrated that he can step up in distance and class, hinting at a promising middle‑distance campaign. Both horses now have a menu of potential targets ranging from the Irish Champion Stakes and a possible Arc trial to the St Leger and even international contests such as the Breeders’ Cup.
Their connections will weigh ground conditions, distance suitability, and timing before finalising plans, but the consensus is clear: these two stars are poised to continue shaping the racing landscape throughout the remainder of the season.