Diamond Necklace justified the high expectations placed on 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 an immaculate two‑year‑old season with a triumph in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend at Longchamp, Aidan O'Brien’s talented filly turned her attention back to France, where she secured back‑to‑back Classic victories in the French 1,000 Guineas and the French Oaks earlier this year. Going off as the 4‑6 favourite, Diamond Necklace faced older horses for the first time.
Despite a determined challenge from Friendly Soul, jockey Ryan Moore rode with unmistakable confidence, guiding the filly to a two‑and‑three‑quarter‑length victory with apparent ease. After the race, an impressed Moore praised her: "She’s feeling the best she ever has, improving with every run. Aidan mentioned she was carrying a little extra weight today, but she’s thriving on it. She’s classy, it was very easy – she travelled smoothly, quickened nicely, and although she can be a bit idle up front, she’s a true racing machine.
She always gives you a classy feel; every time I ride her she shows tremendous pace, enthusiasm and a turn of foot, just like her sire St Mark’s Basilica." O'Brien echoed the sentiment, delighted that his filly continued to add to her unbeaten ledger. "She’s lovely and progressing. She was a bit heavier today, but our work rider Rachel Richardson believes that’s just strength she’s building, not a hindrance. There are many people supporting her, and she’s a wonderful fille.
This was a mile and a quarter against older fillies – we didn’t know what would happen. We gave her a lot of pace because we didn’t want a ‘Mickey Mouse’ race, and now she has options. You can see her quality the way she cruises through a race.
Ryan wanted to let her lead longer, but her stride was breaking, yet she kept going. She’s a great cruiser with immense quality and is progressing wonderfully, so I’m over the moon." The victory also sparked discussion about her future targets. Paddy Power shortened her odds for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to 8‑1 from 14s, yet O'Brien has been cautious about stretching her stamina beyond ten furlongs at this stage.
He outlined several possibilities: a mile‑and‑a‑quarter campaign culminating in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, a French Arc trial, or even a Breeders' Cup filly program, depending on how far the connections are willing to test her. "She handles soft ground as well as fast ground, loves nice ground and a fast track, and has a long stride. The Arc is a possibility, but her next run will dictate the direction," he explained. Friendly Soul, the runner‑up, has endured a turbulent year, returning from injury only to suffer a mishap at Haydock and a disappointing run in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Trainer Thady Gosden praised her effort: "She ran a fine race against a top‑class unbeaten three‑year‑old. It was a very good effort and we’ll now, in consultation with the owners, look at the programme for older fillies, which offers several good opportunities." In other news from Goodwood, Joseph O'Brien kept his options open after Enceladus, the Sea The Stars colt, secured an authoritative win in the Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes. The three‑year‑old has improved markedly since being stepped up in distance, with a comeback victory at Cork followed by a King George V Stakes win at Royal Ascot. Sent off as a 6‑4 favourite, Enceladus held off Geryon by a length and a quarter under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.
Though the Leger market listed him at 10‑1, O'Brien cautioned that a Doncaster run in September is not yet certain. "I’m delighted – it was a nice ride from Dylan.
He’s a progressive, improving colt, taking a big step up in class. I’m thrilled to have a horse of his potential for Maria and the Niarchos team," O'Brien said.
When asked about a potential Leger bid, O'Brien added, "It’s an obvious option, but I don’t know if we’ll push him past a mile and a half yet. We’ll see how he pulls up and let the dust settle before locking in his next target." McMonagle echoed the optimism, describing Enceladus as "a lovely, big, straightforward horse who has done nothing but improve.
Each run he gets better, and I think he’ll be a very nice horse going forward, capable of Group Two and Group One company with a bit of time. He handles the ground well and has class – a horse to watch." Colin Keane, who rode the runner‑up, reflected on the race: "For a few strides I thought we’d catch Enceladus, but he picked up and went away again. The winner is smart, and we’re still a work in progress.
He probably didn’t see it out as well as the winner, but I think in time he will. He’s a little hard on himself, wears earplugs to relax, and has a big future ahead." Overall, Diamond Necklace’s dominant Nassau Stakes win reinforces her status as one of the season’s standout fillies, with a versatile pedigree and a racing style that combines effortless cruising with a sharp turn of foot. Her connections now face the exciting task of charting a campaign that could see her contesting the Arc, the Irish Champion Stakes, or even a Breeders' Cup challenge, while maintaining the unbeaten momentum that has defined her career so far.