Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, knows exactly what it takes to conquer the Group 1 Nassau Stakes after her victorious ride on Nashwa in 2022. In this preview she breaks down Thursday’s renewal, a marquee clash at the Goodwood Festival that promises high drama and top‑class talent.
The centerpiece of Day Three at the Qatar Goodwood Festival is the Qatar Nassau Stakes, scheduled for 3:35 p.m. on Thursday. The race is essentially a showdown for the brilliant filly Diamond Necklace, who will line up against just four other contenders in this elite Group 1 contest for fillies. The field is small, but each opponent brings a credible résumé, meaning the winner will have to be truly outstanding.
Diamond Necklace, a daughter of the unbeaten St Mark’s Basilica and trained by Aidan O’Brien, is rated only a few pounds ahead of her closest rivals Friendly Soul and See The Fire according to the official handicap. Despite the narrow rating gap, Diamond Necklace remains on a steep upward trajectory and enjoys a nine‑pound weight‑for‑age allowance, giving her a clear edge over the opposition. The filly is already a multiple Group 1 winner, having secured the French Oaks over the same ten‑furlong distance on a fast, firm surface that suited her speed and stamina.
That performance demonstrated her ability to handle a quick tempo and a strong finish, qualities that should translate well to the forecast conditions on the Goodwood Downs. The going is expected to be good to soft, a scenario that typically rewards a horse with both turn of foot and staying power—attributes Diamond Necklace possesses in abundance.
Friendly Soul, trained by John and Thady Gosden, is perhaps the most likely challenger if Diamond Necklace fails to hit her best. The mare has a rich pedigree and a solid record at the Group level, having won the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot on her first run back after a lengthy spell. Her recent form suggests she can accelerate sharply in the final stages, making her a genuine threat in a race where the margins are likely to be slim. The third contender, See The Fire, comes from the stable of Andrew Balding.
She ran a respectable race in the Middleton Stakes at York in May and was a near‑winner in the Nassau two years ago. However, her recent record at the highest level has been less encouraging, with a string of thirteen defeats in Group company. While experience is on her side, the lack of recent victories raises questions about her ability to challenge for the top spot on this occasion. Beyond the Nassau Stakes, the Goodwood card offers a wealth of other storylines.
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. The Derby sees Benvenuto Cellini leading a strong four‑horse contingent for Aidan O’Brien at Epsom, and Kevin Blake of At The Races has shared his picks for Derby day.
In other news, former jockey Levi Williams was sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a pensioner after a pub‑side altercation, a sobering reminder of the responsibilities that come with fame in the racing world. Turning back to Goodwood, I remain a fervent supporter of Cut A Dash, who burst onto the scene with a win at York and is now targeting the Group 2 Markel Richmond Stakes (2:25) on Thursday. Trained by Richard Hannon, the colt finished just a length behind Great Barrier Reef in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, a performance that suggests he can upset 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, benefiting from a favourable weight assignment under the official ratings.
A strong showing in the Richmond Stakes could set the stage for a serious bid in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York next month. I would also love to see Night In Vegas, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, perform to his potential. The horse is a proven course and distance winner in the spring and finished close behind Cut A Dash in the Coventry, indicating he has the credentials to compete in a major race.
Epsom Derby fourth‑place finisher Bay Of Brilliance is slated for the Group 3 Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes (3:00) on Thursday, seeking redemption after a disappointing run in the German equivalent. While his form is solid, I am more inclined to back Joseph O’Brien’s progressive colt ENCELADUS, who could use the race as a stepping stone toward the world’s oldest Classic, the St Leger.
Never miss a story with the latest racing news, interviews, and features on your mobile device. Stay updated and enjoy the excitement of the sport. In the King George V Stakes at the Royal Meeting, the winner has been supported by runner‑up Al Azd, and I expect the unbeaten record to continue as the horse 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 a chance for him to make an impact in this opening race of the weekend. My husband Tom Marquand faces a tough challenge from stall 14, where Jack Channon’s colt performed admirably on his first attempt at the Nottingham trip behind Heraldry, a horse I rate highly. Another intriguing runner with a wide draw is Sean Woods’s Savvy Disko, who excelled over a slightly shorter trip at Lingfield and could thrive with a nine‑pound higher mark in this hotter race, especially with Billy Loughnane in the saddle. Richard Hannon and Sean Levey, who teamed up with Cut A Dash in the Richmond, also have strong prospects in the Whispering Angel Nursery Handicap (4:45) with SHADOW KING.
He must overcome a penalty for his recent Doncaster win over a shorter distance, but the seven‑furlong trip looks ideal, and a low draw could unlock his full potential. The Bookkeeper, trained by former stable jockey Richard Hughes, delivered a respectable performance in the Woodcote at Epsom, suggesting he will handle the track with confidence. Ryan Moore is a solid booking for the son of Sioux Nation, who is also well‑positioned for success. I will return on Friday with my thoughts on the next card, which features the prestigious Group 2 sprint, the King George Qatar Stakes, and the Coral Golden Mile Handicap.
Hollie Doyle’s insights, delivered to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, provide a valuable perspective on the day’s key contests and the horses to watch.