Diamond Necklace lived up to the lofty expectations placed on her when she extended her flawless record with a commanding victory in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. After capping off an immaculate two‑year‑old season with a win in the Prix Marcel Boussac during Arc weekend at Longchamp, Aidan O'Brien's filly returned to France to add two more Classics to her résumé this year, triumphing in both the French 1,000 Guineas and the French Oaks. Entering the Nassau Stakes as the 4‑6 favourite, she was aiming for a perfect six‑for‑six record as she stepped up to race against older horses for the first time. Although the older rival Friendly Soul tried to challenge her, Ryan Moore rode Diamond Necklace with unshakable confidence and the filly surged ahead, pulling away by two and three‑quarter lengths with seemingly little effort.
After the race, an impressed Moore said, "That was the best she has ever felt. She is improving with each run. Aidan mentioned she was carrying a little extra weight today, but she is clearly thriving. She is classy – it was very easy.
She travelled smoothly, accelerated nicely, and although she can be a touch idle when leading, she is a genuine racing machine. Every time I have been on her she shows great pace, enthusiasm and a turn of foot, just like her sire St Mark's Basilica, who possessed a superb acceleration, and that trait is evident in her today." O'Brien was equally delighted, noting, "She is a lovely filly and she is progressing.
She was a bit heavier today, but our work rider Rachel Richardson assured us that it was simply strength she was building, not a hindrance, and she proved it by the way she crossed the line. There are many people around her who help her develop, and she handled a mile and a quarter against older fillies brilliantly. We wanted a genuine contest, not a "Mickey Mouse" affair, so we gave her plenty of pace and she now has multiple options. You can see her quality in the way she travels through a race.
Ryan hoped they would let her lead longer, but her stride was breaking, so we let her cruise. She is a great cruiser, full of quality and progressing nicely – I am over the moon." The story continued to develop as betting markets reacted. Paddy Power cut her odds for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe from 14/1 to 8/1, yet O'Brien has not yet decided whether to stretch her stamina beyond ten furlongs. He said, "Constitution River is the boss and everyone has to fall in line behind him.
At the moment he is heading to York and we are looking forward to that. 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 possibilities are wide open. The Arc remains a possibility, and she could even become a Breeders' Cup filly – it will all depend on how far we ask her to go.
Her next run will give us a clearer picture. She has a long stride, loves good ground and a quick track, and the options are abundant." Friendly Soul, the runner‑up, has had a turbulent season after returning from injury, even slipping into a hole at Haydock before a lack‑lustre run in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. Trainer Thady Gosden, who runs the five‑year‑old alongside his father John, praised the performance: "She ran a fine race against a top‑class three‑year‑old who was unbeaten. It was a very good effort and we will now, in consultation with owners George and Julia Strawbridge, look at the programme ahead, as there are several attractive opportunities for older fillies." 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 offspring has improved markedly since being stepped up in distance this season, securing a comeback victory at Cork and then a Group‑three triumph at Royal Ascot in the King George V Stakes. Trained by William Haggas, Enceladus, backed at 6‑4, held off Geryon by a length and a quarter under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.
Betfred, the Classic sponsor, has offered Enceladus 10‑1 odds for the St. Leger, a race that saw Joseph O'Brien break his British Classic duck as a trainer with Galileo Chrome six years ago. However, O'Brien cautioned that a Doncaster trip in September is not a certainty. Speaking to the Press Association from Galway, he said, "I’m delighted – it was a nice ride from Dylan and a very nice performance.
He is a progressive, improving colt. It was a big step up in class and a hard thing to do, but he is heading 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, he added, "It is 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, "He’s a lovely, big, straightforward horse. He has done nothing but improve, and with each run he gets better. I think he will be a very nice horse going forward and, with a bit of time, he can compete at Group Two and Group One level.
He’s still a big baby – when he’s fully mature he’ll be even more impressive, but he was already a good winner. He handles that 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 Enceladus, but he picked up again and went away. I’d say the winner is smart, but we’re smart as well – he’s a work in progress.
He may not have seen it out as well as the winner, but I think with time he will. He’s a little hard on himself, wears earplugs to relax, so he’s still developing, but he has a big future ahead." Overall, Diamond Necklace’s unbeaten streak, her versatility over different ground conditions, and the breadth of her potential targets have made her one of the most exciting fillies of the season. With options ranging from the Irish Champion Stakes to a possible Arc run or even a Breeders’ Cup campaign, her connections will weigh each opportunity carefully.
Meanwhile, Enceladus continues to rise, offering another intriguing storyline as the summer progresses, and the broader racing calendar remains packed with high‑quality contests for both emerging and established stars.