Diamond Necklace proved her reputation was well earned when she extended her flawless record with a commanding win in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. After capping an impeccable two‑year‑old season with a triumph in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend at Longchamp, Aidan O'Brien's filly returned to France and secured back‑to‑back Classic victories this year, winning both the French 1,000 Guineas and the French Oaks.
Entering the Nassau Stakes as the 4‑6 favorite, Diamond Necklace was aiming for a perfect six‑for‑six record as she faced older horses for the first time. Though Friendly Soul tried to give her a run, jockey Ryan Moore rode with unmistakable confidence, and the filly surged clear, winning by two and three‑quarter lengths with apparent ease. Moore was visibly impressed after the race.
He said, "That was the best she has ever felt; she keeps improving with each run. Aidan mentioned she was carrying a little extra weight today, but she thrived on it. She's classy and the victory was very straightforward.
She traveled smoothly, accelerated nicely, and while she still shows a hint of laziness when leading, she is a true racing machine. Every time I ride her she displays tremendous pace, enthusiasm and a brilliant turn of foot – a trait she inherits from her sire, St Mark's Basilica." Trainer Aidan O'Brien also praised the filly, noting her progression and resilience.
"She is a lovely filly and she is getting stronger. Rachel Richardson, our work rider, told us the extra weight was simply building strength rather than being a burden, and the way she crossed the line confirmed that. Many people contribute to her development and she responded brilliantly over the mile and a quarter against older fillies. We wanted a genuine contest, not a "Mickey Mouse" race, so we set a strong pace and she showed she has multiple options now.
Her cruising speed and the way she navigates a race demonstrate her quality. Ryan wanted to keep her forward, but her stride broke and she simply kept going. She is a great cruiser, full of class, and I am over the moon with her progress." The win was part of a broader narrative about Diamond Necklace's future targets. 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 stamina beyond ten furlongs.
He explained, "Constitution River is the main focus at the moment and everyone is rallying behind him. He is heading to York next, and we are excited about that.
Diamond 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 a possibility, and she could even be aimed at the Breeders' Cup if we feel she can handle 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 options are plentiful." Friendly Soul, the runner‑up, has endured a tumultuous season after returning from injury, including a mishap at Haydock and a lack‑lustre run in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. Trainer Thady Gosden praised her effort, saying, "She ran a fine race against a top‑class, unbeaten three‑year‑old. It was a very good effort and, together with owners George and Julia Strawbridge, we will now 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 an authoritative win in the Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes. The Sea The Stars colt has improved markedly since being stepped up in distance, securing a comeback victory at Cork and then succeeding in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Trained by William Haggas, Enceladus was sent off as a 6‑4 favourite and held off Geryon by a length and a quarter under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. Betfred, the Classic sponsor, offered Enceladus odds of 10‑1 for the St. Leger, a race where Joseph O'Brien famously broke his British Classic duck as a trainer with Galileo Chrome six years ago. However, O'Brien cautioned that a September trip to Doncaster was not yet decided.
"I'm delighted with the ride from Dylan. It was a very nice performance and the colt is progressive and improving.
It's a big step up in class, but he's heading the right way and I'm thrilled to have a horse of his potential for Maria and the Niarchos team," O'Brien told the Press Association from Galway. Regarding the St. Leger, he added, "It's one of the more obvious options, but I don't want to rush him beyond 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 improves with every run.
He has the class to compete at Group Two and Group One level with a bit of time. He's still a big baby, but he's a good winner and handles the ground well." Colin Keane, who rode the runner‑up, commented, "For a few strides I thought we would catch Dylan's horse, but he picked up again. The winner is smart, and we are as well – still a work in progress. He wears earplugs to relax, and while he's a bit hard on himself, I see a bright future for him." Overall, Diamond Necklace's dominant performance in the Qatar Nassau Stakes adds another chapter to her meteoric rise, while the broader Goodwood meeting highlighted several promising prospects for the remainder of the season.
The connections of both Diamond Necklace and Enceladus will now weigh their options carefully, balancing ambition with the need to manage each horse's development and stamina as they target the season's remaining elite contests.