Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, knows exactly what it takes to clinch the Group 1 Nassau Stakes after her victorious ride on Nashwa in 2022. In this preview she breaks down Thursday’s marquee race at Goodwood, set against a glittering card that promises high‑quality action. The centerpiece of Day Three at the Qatar Goodwood Festival is the Qatar Nassau Stakes (3:35), a fillies' Group 1 contest that appears to be dominated by the brilliant Diamond Necklace. She will line up against just four opponents, making her a clear favorite in a race that will test both stamina and tactical speed over ten furlongs.
Diamond Necklace is the unbeaten daughter of St Mark’s Basilica, trained by Aidan O’Brien, and she sits only a few pounds ahead of her nearest rivals Friendly Soul and See The Fire on the official ratings. Despite the narrow margin, the filly is on a steep upward trajectory and benefits from a nine‑pound weight‑for‑age allowance, which should give her a decisive edge. Having already secured multiple Group 1 victories, Diamond Necklace proved her class over the same ten‑furlong distance when she won the French Oaks on a fast, yielding surface.
The conditions forecast for the Goodwood track – a softer, rain‑touched going – should suit her even more, as she has shown a preference for yielding ground in her previous outings. If Diamond Necklace were to falter, the most likely beneficiary would be Friendly Soul. That mare carries a wealth of experience and class, and her recent form suggests she could step up when the race opens up.
Friendly Soul, a Group 1 winner in her own right, was placed by John and Thady Gosden after a striking performance in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race she contested on her first start back from a long spell. The third contender, See The Fire, trained by Andrew Balding, displayed a promising run in the Middleton Stakes at York in May. Two years ago she was close to winning the Nassau, but her recent record at the top level has slipped, now extending to thirteen consecutive defeats. Nevertheless, she remains a dangerous runner if she can rediscover her best form.
Beyond the Nassau, Doyle also touches on other highlights of the weekend. She notes that Thunder Call could feature in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday.
Jamie Lynch’s five horses are also earmarked as international stars to watch in that prestigious team competition. In a separate note, Kevin Doyle – former Premier League striker turned jockey – is targeting Cheltenham Festival glory with the promising mares Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi, adding a cross‑disciplinary twist to the racing narrative. The day’s action also includes a look at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where Kalpana is set to defeat Calandagan in a thrilling duel, and a mention of Ryan Moore’s recent MBE award in the King’s Birthday Honours, underscoring the sport’s connection to the wider British cultural fabric.
Turning to the two‑year‑old division, Doyle backs CUT A DASH, a Richard Hannon colt who impressed at York and narrowly missed Great Barrier Reef in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. The form line suggests that CUT A DASH could overturn the odds‑on favourite Flann Sunna, whose two wins at Windsor and Ascot have not been particularly convincing. Sean Levey’s mount, a son of Simon and Ed Crisford, appears well‑placed on the weight‑for‑age scale and could be a leading contender for the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes back at York next month.
Similarly, Eve Johnson Houghton’s Night In Vegas, a proven course and distance winner from the spring, finished close behind Cut A Dash in the Coventry, giving him a solid credential for a big race. In the classic trial scene, Bay Of Brilliance – a fourth‑place finisher in the Epsom Derby – is entered in the Group 3 Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes (3:00) on Thursday. After a disappointing run in the German equivalent, his strong course form makes him a contender, though Doyle favours 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, DECADE OF TIME, despite a challenging draw, is expected to make an impact in the opening Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap (1:30). His connections, including husband Tom Marquand, will be watching closely as he faces a strong field that includes Jack Channon’s colt, who showed promise at Nottingham behind Heraldry.
Another intriguing runner is Sean Woods’s Savvy Disko, who excelled over a slightly shorter distance at Lingfield and could thrive with a nine‑pound allowance in the hotter race, especially with Billy Loughnane in the saddle. In the Whispering Angel Nursery Handicap (4:45), Richard Hannon and Sean Levey have placed their hopes on SHADOW KING, a horse that must overcome a penalty from his Doncaster win but looks ideally suited to the seven‑furlong trip and a favourable low draw. The Bookkeeper, trained by former stable jockey Richard Hughes, delivered a commendable performance in the Woodcote at Epsom, and with Ryan Moore aboard, the son of Sioux Nation appears well‑positioned for a strong showing.
Doyle promises to return on Friday with her thoughts on the next day’s card, which will feature the Group 2 sprint – the King George Qatar Stakes – and the Coral Golden Mile Handicap. Her insights, combined with her experience as a Sky Sports Racing ambassador, provide fans with a nuanced perspective on the day’s key battles.
Overall, the Nassau Stakes stands out as the race to watch, with Diamond Necklace poised to cement her status as a top‑class filly, while the surrounding contests offer ample opportunities for upsets and emerging talent to shine. Hollie Doyle’s commentary, delivered to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, captures the excitement and depth of the Goodwood festival, ensuring that viewers have a comprehensive guide to the weekend’s most compelling moments.