Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, knows exactly what it takes to conquer the Group 1 Nassau Stakes after she rode Nashwa to victory in 2022. In a candid preview for Thursday’s renewal at Goodwood, she breaks down the form and prospects of the key contenders on a card that promises high‑class racing. The centerpiece of day three at the Qatar Goodwood Festival is the Qatar Nassau Stakes (3 ½ m), scheduled for Thursday at 3.35 pm. All eyes are on the dazzling filly Diamond Necklace, who enters the race as the overwhelming favorite despite having only four rivals on the starting gate.
The race is a Group 1 contest for fillies and mares, and Diamond Necklace’s reputation suggests she will dominate. Diamond Necklace, a daughter of the unbeaten St Mark’s Basilica and trained by Aidan O’Brien, is rated just a few pounds above her nearest challengers Friendly Soul and See The Fire in the official handicap. She also enjoys a nine‑pound weight‑for‑age allowance, which further enhances her advantage. The filly already boasts multiple Group 1 victories, having proved her stamina over ten furlongs in the French Oaks on a firm surface that suited her best.
The Goodwood track, with its undulating terrain and the expected soft ground, should not pose any problem for a horse of her class. Friendly Soul, trained by John and Thady Gosden, is perhaps the most credible threat should Diamond Necklace falter. The mare has a solid pedigree and has shown a turn of foot in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race she contested on her first start after returning from a long layoff at Haydock.
Her performance there was eye‑catching and suggests she can rise to the occasion when the odds are in her favour. See The Fire, campaigned by Andrew Balding, displayed a strong run in the Middleton Stakes at York in May and was a close second in the Nassau Stakes two years ago. However, she has now endured a 13‑run losing streak at the top level, which raises questions about her ability to break the pattern against a field headlined by Diamond Necklace.
Beyond the Nassau Stakes, Doyle also touched on other highlights of the weekend. She mentioned that Thunder Call could play a pivotal role in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday.
The Shergar Cup will feature five horses from Jamie Lynch’s stable battling international stars in a team‑spirit showdown. In a separate note, Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now targeting Cheltenham Festival glory with his mares Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi, illustrating the cross‑sport appeal of horse racing.
The coverage also referenced other major races: Kalpana’s triumph over Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ryan Moore’s recent MBE award in the King’s Birthday Honours, and Benvenuto Cellini leading an Aidan O’Brien‑filled team for the Epsom Classic. Turning to the two‑year‑old division, Doyle expressed strong support for Cut A Dash, who impressed with a debut win at York and is now a contender for the Group 2 Markel Richmond Stakes (2 ¼ m) on Thursday. Richard Hannon’s colt was only a length behind Great Barrier Reef in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, a form line that could see it upset the favourite Flann Sunna, who has yet to defeat high‑calibre opposition in his two wins at Windsor and Ascot. Sean Levey’s mount, backed by official ratings, appears well‑placed at the assigned weight and could be a stepping‑stone to the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York next month.
Doyle also highlighted Eve Johnson Houghton’s Night In Vegas, a proven course and distance winner who finished close behind Cut A Dash in the Coventry, indicating he has the credentials to contest a major race. In the older‑horse division, Bay Of Brilliance, who finished fourth in the Epsom Derby, is entered in the Group 3 Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes (3 m) on Thursday.
Although the filly underperformed in the German equivalent, she possesses strong course form, an asset in this traditional St Leger trial. Nevertheless, Doyle leans towards Joseph O’Brien’s progressive colt ENCELADUS, who could stake a claim for the world’s oldest Classic.
The article also reminded readers to stay updated with the latest racing news, interviews, and features via the Sky Sports Racing app, emphasizing the convenience of mobile access. Diamond Necklace’s recent win in the King George V Stakes at the Royal Meeting was secured ahead of runner‑up Al Azd, and Doyle expects her to maintain an unbeaten record this season as she steps up to Pattern company over the same twelve‑furlong distance. The draw has not been kind to DECADE OF TIME, but Doyle believes the horse can still make an impact in the opening Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap (1 ½ m) on Thursday. She also mentioned her husband Tom (riding for Marquand) who faces a challenge from stall 14 on Jack Channon’s colt, a horse that performed admirably on its first attempt at this distance at Nottingham behind Heraldry, a runner Doyle rates highly.
Additional interest surrounds Sean Woods’s Savvy Disko, who showed a burst of speed over a slightly shorter trip at Lingfield and could handle a higher weight in the hotter race with Billy Loughnane aboard. Richard Hannon and Sean Levey, who combine with Cut A Dash in the Richmond, also have strong prospects in the Whispering Angel Nursery Handicap (4 ½ m) with SHADOW KING, who must overcome a penalty from his Doncaster win over a shorter distance but looks well‑suited to the seven‑furlong course. The Bookkeeper, trained by former stable jockey Richard Hughes, delivered a solid performance in the Woodcote at Epsom, suggesting the horse will have no fears on the Goodwood track. Ryan Moore is a strong booking for the son of Sioux Nation, who is also well‑positioned.
Doyle concluded by promising to return with her thoughts on Friday’s card, which will feature the Group 2 sprint King George Qatar Stakes and the Coral Golden Mile Handicap. Her insights, delivered to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, provide fans with a comprehensive preview of the weekend’s most compelling contests.