Diamond Necklace proved why she was so highly regarded when she extended her flawless record with a commanding performance in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. After capping off an impeccable 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 secure back‑to‑back Classic victories this year, triumphing in both the French 1,000 Guineas and the French Oaks. Entering the Nassau Stakes as a 4‑6 favourite, she was poised to become six‑for‑six, facing older horses for the first time.
Although Friendly Soul tried to give her a run for her money, Ryan Moore rode Diamond Necklace with unshakable confidence, and the filly pulled away by two and three‑quarter lengths with apparent ease. Moore was visibly impressed after the race. “That was the best she’s ever felt,” he said.
“She’s improving with each run. Aidan mentioned she was carrying a little extra weight today, but she’s thriving because of it. She’s a classy filly, it was very easy.
She travelled smoothly, accelerated nicely, and although she can be a touch idle up front, she’s a true racing machine.” He added that the filly’s pedigree shone through: “She has the same turn of foot as her sire, St Mark’s Basilica – a real burst of speed that was evident today.” O’Brien was equally delighted. “She’s lovely and progressing nicely,” he explained.
“She was a bit heavier today, but our work rider Rachel Richardson believes that’s just strength being built, not a drawback. This was a mile and a quarter against older fillies, and we didn’t want a ‘Mickey Mouse’ race, so we gave her plenty of pace. She now has options.” He praised her cruising ability, noting that her stride never broke even when the pace quickened.
“She’s a great cruiser with a lot of quality, and I’m over the moon.” The victory adds another chapter to Diamond Necklace’s meteoric rise, and fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and features on their mobile devices. While Paddy Power shortened her odds for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe from 14/1 to 8/1, O’Brien has yet to decide whether to stretch her stamina beyond ten furlongs.
The filly now boasts a menu of possibilities for the remainder of the season. Speaking about future plans, O’Brien said, “Constitution River is the boss and everyone has to fall in line behind him. He’s heading to York next, and we’re excited about that.” He continued, “She could stay at a mile and a quarter and target the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, or we could aim for an Arc trial in France.
She handles soft ground as well as fast ground, so the options are plentiful.” He left the Arc as a genuine possibility and even mentioned a potential Breeders’ Cup campaign, emphasizing that her next run will help determine the best path. “She has a long stride, loves good ground and a quick track, so we have many routes to consider.” Friendly Soul, the runner‑up, has endured a turbulent year, returning from injury only to stumble at Haydock and then post a lackluster effort in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. Trainer Thady Gosden praised her effort: “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 some attractive opportunities.” In other news, Joseph O’Brien is keeping his options open with Enceladus after the colt’s authoritative win in the Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. The Sea The Stars‑bred youngster has improved markedly since being stepped up in distance this season, recording a comeback victory at Cork followed by a win in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Trained by William Haggas, Enceladus was sent off as a well‑backed 6‑4 favourite and held off Geryon by a length and a quarter under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. Betfred, the Classic sponsor, has listed Enceladus at 10‑1 for the St Leger, a race where O’Brien famously broke his British Classic duck as a trainer with Galileo Chrome six years earlier. However, O’Brien cautioned that a Doncaster trip in September is not yet certain.
“I’m delighted – it was a nice ride from Dylan. It was a really nice performance and he’s a progressive, improving colt,” he told the Press Association from Galway. “It was a big step up in class, but he’s going the right way and I’m thrilled to have a horse of his potential for Maria and the Niarchos team.” When asked about the St Leger, O’Brien said, “It’s one of the more obvious options, but I don’t want to rush him past a mile and a half.
We’ll see how he pulls up, let the dust settle, and then lock in his next target.” McMonagle echoed the sentiment, describing Enceladus as “a lovely, big, straightforward horse who has done nothing but improve. Each run he gets better.
I think he’ll be a very nice horse going forward and, with a bit of time, he could compete at Group Two and Group One level.” He added, “He’s still a big baby, but he’s doing enough and was a good winner. He handles the ground well and has a touch of class – a horse to watch.” Colin Keane, who rode the runner‑up, commented, “For a few strides I thought we were going to catch Enceladus, but he picked up and went away again.
The winner is smart, but we’re smart as well. He’s a work in progress, maybe didn’t see it out as well as the winner, but 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 unbeaten streak, combined with Enceladus’s rapid development, sets the stage for an exciting second half of the flat racing season, with multiple high‑profile targets on the horizon for both young stars.