Diamond Necklace proved why she was so highly regarded when she extended her flawless record with a commanding victory in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. After capping an immaculate two‑year‑old season by winning the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend at Longchamp, Aidan O'Brien’s filly returned to France and added two more Classics to her résumé – the French 1000 Guineas and the French Oaks – before tackling older horses in England. Entering the race as a 4‑6 favourite, Diamond Necklace was poised to become six‑for‑six, facing senior competition for the first time. Friendly Soul tried to give her a run for her money, but Ryan Moore, looking supremely confident in the saddle, guided the filly to a decisive two‑and‑three‑quarter‑length win with apparent ease.
Moore, clearly impressed, said after the race, "She’s feeling the best she ever has, improving with every run. Aidan mentioned she was a little heavier today, but she’s thriving on that extra weight. She’s classy – it was very easy. She travelled smoothly, accelerated nicely and, although she can be a bit idle up front, she’s a true racing machine.
Every time I’ve ridden her she’s shown tremendous pace, enthusiasm and a sharp turn of foot – a trait she inherited from her sire, St Mark’s Basilica." Aidan O'Brien also expressed his delight, noting that the filly’s unbeaten streak had grown and that the added weight seemed to be strength rather than a hindrance. He praised the team around her, saying, "She’s a lovely filly, progressing nicely. The race was a mile and a quarter against older fillies, and we didn’t want a ‘Mickey Mouse’ affair, so we gave her a lot of pace.
She now has several options. You can see her quality in the way she cruises through a race. Ryan wanted to let her lead longer, but her stride was breaking, and she kept going. She’s a great cruiser, full of quality, and I’m over the moon." The win also reinforced her standing as a versatile miler‑to‑middle‑distance prospect.
Paddy Power cut her odds for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe from 14/1 to 8/1, yet O'Brien has been cautious about stretching her beyond ten furlongs for the time being. He hinted at a range of possibilities later in the season, saying, "Constitution River is the boss and everyone has to fall in line behind him. He’s heading to York, and we’re excited about that.
She could stay at a mile and a quarter and contest the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, or we could aim for an Arc trial in France. She handles both soft and fast ground equally well.
The Arc remains an option, and she could even be aimed at the Breeders’ Cup if we feel she can stay the distance. Her next run will give us a clearer picture of where she should go. She has a long stride, loves good ground and a quick track, and the choices are plentiful." Friendly Soul, who finished second, has had a tumultuous year after returning from injury, including a mishap at Haydock and a disappointing run in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. Trainer Thady Gosden praised her effort, stating, "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, in consultation with owners George and Julia Strawbridge, look at the programme for older fillies, which offers several attractive opportunities." In other news from Goodwood, Joseph O'Brien kept his options open after Enceladus delivered a dominant performance in the Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes. The Sea The Stars colt, who has improved markedly after being stepped up in distance, previously won at Cork and then captured the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Trained by William Haggas, Enceladus, backed at 6‑4, held off Geryon by a length and a quarter under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. The classic sponsor Betfred listed him at 10‑1 for the St Leger, a race that would give O'Brien his first British Classic win as a trainer after his father’s Galileo Chrome victory six years ago. However, O’Brien admitted he was not certain about a September trip to Doncaster, saying, "It’s a logical option, but I don’t want to rush him past a mile and a half.
We’ll see how he comes out of this race and decide then." McMonagle described Enceladus as "a lovely, big, straightforward horse who keeps improving with each run. He’s got class, handles the ground well, and I think he’ll be a top‑level performer with a bit more time. He’s still a big baby, but he’s already a good winner and one to watch closely." Colin Keane, who rode the runner‑up, added, "For a few strides I thought we’d catch Enceladus, but he pulled away again.
He’s a smart horse, still a work in progress, and he even wears earplugs to stay relaxed. He has a huge future ahead of him." Overall, the Goodwood meeting highlighted the depth of talent in the current generation of thoroughbreds. Diamond Necklace’s seamless transition from juvenile champion to dominant older‑filly competitor underscores her versatility and class, while Enceladus’s steady progression signals a colt with the potential to compete at the highest level over classic distances. Both connections will now map out campaigns that could see these stars contesting some of Europe’s most prestigious races later this season, from the Irish Champion Stakes to the Arc and perhaps even the Breeders’ Cup.
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