Diamond Necklace proved the hype surrounding her was well deserved, extending her flawless record with a commanding performance in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. After capping off an immaculate two‑year‑old season with a win in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend at Longchamp, Aidan O'Brien's filly returned to France to capture back‑to‑back Classics – the French 1000 Guineas and the French Oaks – before stepping up to face older horses in England. Entering the Goodwood race as a 4‑6 favourite, Diamond Necklace was poised to become six‑for‑six, a feat that would underline her dominance across age groups.
The field included the seasoned older filly Friendly Soul, who tried to give the youngster a run, but Ryan Moore never looked anything but confident in the saddle. As the horses turned into the straight, Diamond Necklace surged ahead, pulling away by two and three‑quarter lengths with seemingly little effort. Moore was effusive after the race.
"She felt the best she ever has," he said. "She’s improving with each run. Aidan mentioned she was a touch heavier today, but that’s just a sign she’s getting stronger. She’s a classy filly – the win was almost effortless.
She travelled smoothly, accelerated nicely, and even though she can be a little idle at the front, she’s a true racing machine." He went on to praise her pedigree, noting that her sire, St Mark’s Basilica, was known for a sharp turn of foot – a trait clearly evident in Diamond Necklace. Aidan O'Brien echoed the jockey’s enthusiasm, highlighting the filly’s progression and resilience. "She’s a lovely girl and she’s still getting better," O'Brien said. "She was a bit heavier today, but Rachel Richardson, our work rider, told us it was just the strength she’s building, not a problem.
The mile and a quarter against older fillies was a real test, and we didn’t want a ‘Mickey Mouse’ race – we gave her a solid pace and she showed she has options now." He added that her cruising speed and ability to maintain a strong stride made him "over the moon" with the result. O'Brien also hinted at future possibilities, noting that the filly’s odds for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe had shortened dramatically from 14/1 to 8/1, although he stopped short of committing to a longer distance than ten furlongs at this stage. Looking ahead, O'Brien outlined a menu of potential targets.
"Constitution River is the boss at the moment, heading to York, and we’ll watch that race closely. Diamond Necklace could stay at a mile and a quarter for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, or we could aim for an Arc trial in France.
She handles both soft and fast ground, so the choice will depend on how far we want to stretch her stamina. The Arc remains a possibility, and she could even be aimed at the Breeders' Cup if she continues to progress. Her next run will give us a clearer picture of her optimal distance and the type of ground she prefers." The runner‑up, Friendly Soul, has had a tumultuous year, returning from injury only to suffer a mishap at Haydock and a disappointing run in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Yet trainer Thady Gosden praised her effort, saying, "She ran a fine race against a top‑class three‑year‑old who is unbeaten. It was a very good effort and we’ll now consult with the owners about the best programme for older fillies moving forward." In other news from Goodwood, Joseph O'Brien kept his options open after Enceladus delivered an authoritative win in the Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes. The Sea The Stars colt, who has improved markedly after being stepped up in trip this season, had previously won at Cork and then at Royal Ascot in the King George V Stakes.
Trained by William Haggas, Enceladus was backed as a 6‑4 favourite and won by a length and a quarter, holding off Geryon under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. Betfred, the classic sponsor, listed Enceladus at 10‑1 for the St Leger, a race that would give Joseph O'Brien a chance to finally break his British Classic duck as a trainer – a goal he missed six years ago with Galileo Chrome. However, O'Brien cautioned that a St Leger trip might be too far, saying, "It’s an obvious option, but I’m not sure we’ll rush him past a mile and a half. We’ll see how he pulls up and decide on his next target after that." McMonagle was full of praise: "He’s a lovely, big, straightforward horse.
He’s only getting better with each run and I think he has the class to compete at Group Two and Group One level with a bit more time. He handles the ground well and has a lot of potential – definitely a horse to watch." Colin Keane, who rode the runner‑up, added his perspective: "For a few strides I thought we’d catch Enceladus, but he picked up again. The winner is smart, and Enceladus is still a work in progress.
He wears earplugs to help him relax, but I believe he has a bright future ahead." Overall, the Goodwood meeting showcased the depth of talent across both sexes and ages, with Diamond Necklace confirming her status as a top‑class filly capable of taking on older rivals, while Enceladus signalled his emergence as a serious contender for future middle‑distance classics. The connections of both horses now face a series of strategic decisions about distance, ground conditions, and timing, but the prevailing sentiment among trainers, jockeys, and owners is optimism.
With multiple Group races on the calendar, including potential trips to York, Leopardstown, and possibly the Arc, the remainder of the season promises further excitement for these rising stars.