Diamond Necklace proved her moniker was no exaggeration when she extended her flawless record with a commanding triumph in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. After capping 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 add two more Classics to her résumé – the French 1,000 Guineas and the French Oaks – before taking on older horses for the first time. Entering the Goodwood race as the 4‑6 favourite, Diamond Necklace was poised to make it six wins from six starts. Her only real challenger, Friendly Soul, tried to unsettle her, but jockey Ryan Moore never looked anything but confident.
From the start, Moore guided the filly into a comfortable rhythm, and she soon pulled away, finishing two and three‑quarter lengths clear of the field with minimal effort. After the race, an enthusiastic Moore said, "That was the best she’s ever felt.
She’s improving with each run. Aidan mentioned she was a touch heavier today, but she’s clearly thriving. She’s a classy filly – the race was very easy for her. She travelled smoothly, accelerated nicely, and while she can be a little 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 – just like her sire, St Mark’s Basilica, who possessed a brilliant acceleration, and you can see that trait in her as well." Trainer Aidan O'Brien was equally delighted. He explained, "She’s a lovely filly and she’s progressing nicely. She was a bit heavier today, but our work rider Rachel Richardson was confident it was simply strength she’s building rather than excess weight, and the way she crossed the line proved it. A lot of people surround her and help her develop.
This was a mile and a quarter against older fillies, and we weren’t sure what would happen. We gave her plenty of pace because we didn’t want a "Mickey Mouse" race, and now she has options. You can see her quality the way she travels through a race. Ryan wanted a longer lead, but her stride was breaking, so she kept cruising.
She’s a great cruiser, full of quality, and she’s progressing wonderfully – I’m over the moon." The victory also boosted her odds for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with Paddy Power cutting her price from 14/1 to 8/1. However, O'Brien has been cautious about stretching her stamina beyond ten furlongs for now, preferring to keep her options open for the remainder of the season. He added, "Constitution River is the boss and everyone has to fall into line behind him.
At the moment he’s heading to York and we’re looking forward to 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 soft ground as well as fast ground, so the possibilities are plentiful. The Arc is certainly on the table, 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’s headed.
She has a long stride, loves good ground and a quick track, and the choices are many." Friendly Soul, the runner‑up, has had a tumultuous year, returning from injury only to suffer a mishap at Haydock and then a disappointing 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 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 ahead, as there are good opportunities for older fillies." In other news from Goodwood, Joseph O'Brien is keeping his options open with Enceladus after the colt’s authoritative win in the Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes. The Sea The Stars offspring has improved markedly since being stepped up in distance this season, recording a comeback victory at Cork and then 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 delivered a strong finish under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, holding off Geryon by a length and a quarter. Betfred, the Classic sponsor, has listed Enceladus at 10‑1 for the St Leger, a race that would give Joseph O'Brien his first British Classic win as a trainer after his father, Aidan, broke his own Classic duck with Galileo Chrome six years ago. Yet O'Brien cautioned that a Doncaster run is not set in stone. "I’m delighted – it was a nice ride from Dylan and a very nice performance.
He’s a progressive, improving colt. It was a big step up in class and a hard thing to do, but he’s heading the right way and I’m thrilled to have a horse of his potential for Maria and the Niarchos team," he said.
When asked about the St Leger, O'Brien added, "It’s one of the more obvious options, but I don’t know if we’ll push him past a mile and a half either. Let’s see how he pulls up, let the dust settle, and then we’ll lock in his next target." McMonagle praised his mount, 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 be up to Group Two and Group One level. He’s still a big baby, but he’s doing enough and he was a good winner. He handles the ground well and has a touch of class – a horse to look forward to and keep an eye on." Colin Keane, who rode the runner‑up, commented, "For a few strides I thought we were going to catch Dylan’s horse, but he picked up and went away again. The winner is smart, but we’re smart as well – he’s a work in progress.
He probably didn’t see it out as well as the winner, but I think in time he will. He’s a little hard on himself, wears earplugs to help him relax, so he’s a work in progress but a horse with a big future, hopefully." Overall, Diamond Necklace’s flawless record, combined with her versatility over different ground conditions and distances, makes her one of the most exciting fillies on the European scene. Whether she steps up to the Arc, contests the Irish Champion Stakes, or even travels to the United States for a Breeders' Cup challenge, her connections will weigh her stamina, ground preference and the competition before deciding. For now, fans can enjoy her dazzling performances and anticipate the next chapter in a career that promises to be as brilliant as the jewel she’s named after.