Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador knows exactly what it takes to conquer the Group 1 Nassau Stakes, having ridden Nashwa to victory in 2022. In this preview she breaks down Thursday’s renewal on a glittering Goodwood card. The centerpiece of day three at the Qatar Goodwood Festival is the Qatar Nassau Stakes (3:35), and all eyes are on the radiant Diamond Necklace.
She will line up against just four other fillies in this top‑level contest, making the race a true showdown among the best of the generation. Diamond Necklace, a daughter of the unbeaten St Mark’s Basilica and trained by Aidan O’Brien, is only a fraction of a pound ahead of her main rivals Friendly Soul and See The Fire in the official ratings. She is also benefitting from a nine‑pound weight‑for‑age allowance, which should give her a comfortable edge.
Although she already boasts multiple Group 1 victories, Diamond Necklace proved her stamina over the ten‑furlong distance when she won the French Oaks on very firm ground – the quickest surface she has ever encountered. The forecast for the Goodwood Downs suggests a similar firm going, a condition that should suit her perfectly.
If Diamond Necklace fails to hit her best, the most likely beneficiary will be Friendly Soul. That mare carries a substantial amount of class and has shown she can step up when the favourite under‑performs.
Friendly Soul, trained by the John and Thady Gosdens, is a Group 1 winner in her own right. She delivered an eye‑catching run in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, which was her first start after returning from a long lay‑off and after taking the place of a horse that had previously vacated her spot at Haydock. The third contender, See The Fire, is an Andrew Balding‑trained filly who looked impressive in the Middleton Stakes at York in May.
She came close to winning this race two years ago, but it is worth noting that her recent record at the highest level has now stretched to 13 consecutive defeats. Beyond the Nassau Stakes, Hollie Doyle also hinted at a role for Thunder Call in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday.
The Shergar Cup promises an international clash of top jockeys and horses, and Doyle’s insight adds another layer of intrigue to the weekend’s programme. In related news, former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi, illustrating the cross‑sport appeal of horse racing.
Other headlines from the festival include Kalpana’s victory over Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ryan Moore’s receipt of an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, and Benvenuto Cellini leading an Aidan O’Brien‑filled four‑horse team for the Epsom Classic. Turning to the two‑year‑old division, I remain a strong supporter of Cut A Dash after his debut win at York. He is slated to contest the Group 2 Markel Richmond Stakes (2:25) on Thursday, a race that could reshape the juvenile hierarchy. Richard Hannon’s colt finished only a length behind Great Barrier Reef in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, a form line that suggests he could upset the odds‑on favourite Flann Sunna, who has yet to defeat a field of any real substance in his two wins at Windsor and Ascot.
Sean Levey’s mount appears well‑placed on the weight scale against Simon and Ed Crisford’s colt, according to the official ratings, and could be on a trajectory toward the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York next month. I would also love to see Eve Johnson Houghton’s Night In Vegas perform well. The horse is a proven course and distance winner from the spring and finished just behind Cut A Dash in the Coventry, giving him the credentials to contest a major race. Epsom Derby fourth‑placer Bay Of Brilliance is entered in the Group 3 Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes (3:00) on Thursday, looking to rebound after a disappointing run in the German equivalent.
While his recent form is solid, I am inclined to back Joseph O’Brien’s progressive colt Enceladus, who could stake a serious claim for the world’s oldest classic – the St Leger. Never miss a story: the latest racing news, interviews and features are available on your phone, keeping you up to date with every development. Enceladus’s win in the King George V Stakes at the Royal Meeting was followed by a runner‑up finish to Al Azd, and I expect him to preserve his unbeaten record this season as he steps up to Pattern company over the same twelve‑furlong distance. The draw has not been kind to Decade Of Time, yet I still believe he can make an impact in the curtain‑raiser Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap (1:50) on Thursday.
My husband Tom (Marquand) will face a challenge from stall 14, where Jack Channon’s colt, who performed admirably on his first attempt at this distance at Nottingham behind Heraldry, will be placed. Heraldry is a horse I rate highly and could be a factor. Another intriguing runner with a wide draw is Sean Woods’s Savvy Disko. He showed a turn of foot over a slightly shorter trip at Lingfield and should be able to handle a nine‑pound higher mark in this hotter race, especially with Billy Loughnane aboard.
Richard Hannon and Sean Levey, who teamed up with Cut A Dash in the Richmond, also have strong prospects in the Whispering Angel Nursery Handicap (4:45) with Shadow King. He must overcome a penalty for his recent Doncaster win over a shorter distance, but the seven‑furlong trip looks ideal and he appears capable of further improvement, especially from a low draw. The Bookkeeper, trained by my former boss’s ex‑stable jockey Richard Hughes, ran a solid race in the Woodcote at Epsom, so the track should pose no problem.
Ryan Moore is a strong booking for the son of Sioux Nation, who is also well‑positioned. I will return on Friday with my thoughts on the next day’s card, which features the Group 2 sprint King George Qatar Stakes and the Coral Golden Mile Handicap. Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, providing the insights above.