Diamond Necklace lived up to the lofty expectations placed upon her by delivering a commanding performance in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, extending her flawless record to six wins from six starts. The Irish‑trained filly, owned by the Niarchos family and trained by Aidan O'Brien, had already capped a perfect juvenile season with a triumph in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp during the Arc weekend. She then returned to France to claim back‑to‑back Classics, taking both the French 1000 Guineas and the French Oaks earlier this year.
Going off as the 4‑to‑6 favourite, Diamond Necklace faced older horses for the first time in the Goodwood contest. Despite a determined effort from the rival filly Friendly Soul, who tried to unsettle her, Ryan Moore rode with unmistakable confidence.
The filly surged clear in the straight, pulling away by two and three‑quarter lengths with seemingly little effort. Moore, visibly impressed, said after the race: "That was the best she’s ever felt. She’s improving with each run. Aidan mentioned she was a little heavier today, but that’s clearly strength she’s building, not a problem.
She’s a classy filly, it was very easy – she travelled smoothly, quickened nicely and, although she can be a bit idle in front, she’s a true racing machine. She always gives you a classy feel, loads of pace and enthusiasm, and she has a turn of foot just like her sire St Mark’s Basilica." Aidan O'Brien echoed the jockey’s enthusiasm, noting that the filly had become heavier but that the extra weight was a sign of growing power.
He praised the work rider Rachel Richardson for keeping the filly focused, and he highlighted the tactical decision to set a strong pace to avoid a “Mickey Mouse” race. "She’s a great cruiser with plenty of options now," O'Brien said. "You can see her quality in the way she travels through a race.
Ryan wanted to keep her longer, but her stride broke down and she just kept going. I’m over the moon." The win adds another mile‑and‑a‑quarter triumph to her résumé and positions her as a leading contender for the season’s remaining middle‑distance targets.
While Paddy Power has already shortened her odds for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to 8‑1 from 14‑seconds, O'Brien has been cautious about stretching her beyond ten furlongs just yet. He indicated that the filly’s future could include a mile‑and‑a‑quarter race at Leopardstown (the Irish Champion Stakes), an Arc trial in France, or even a venture to York for the Yorkshire Cup.
"She handles soft ground as well as fast ground," he added, "and she loves a nice, firm track. The Arc is a possibility, and she could even be aimed at the Breeders' Cup later in the year.
Her next run will tell us where she’s headed." Friendly Soul, the runner‑up, has had a tumultuous year, returning from injury only to suffer a mishap at Haydock and a disappointing run in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. Nevertheless, 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 consult with the owners about the best programme for older fillies." In the same meeting, Joseph O'Brien kept his options open for another of his promising horses, Enceladus, after a dominant win in the Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes. The Sea The Stars colt, who has improved markedly after being stepped up in distance, previously won at Cork and then captured the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot. Sent off as a 6‑4 favourite, Enceladus finished strongly under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, beating Geryon by a length and a quarter.
O'Brien, speaking from Galway, said, "I’m delighted – a nice ride from Dylan and a progressive, improving colt. It was a big step up in class, but he’s heading the right way. I’m thrilled to have a horse of his potential for Maria and the Niarchos team." When asked about a potential Leger campaign, O'Brien admitted the race is an obvious target but cautioned against rushing the colt beyond a mile and a half without seeing how he pulls up.
"Let’s see how he finishes and let the dust settle before we lock in his next objective," he said. McMonagle described Enceladus as "a lovely, big, straightforward horse who has done nothing but improve. Each run he gets better.
He handles the ground well and shows a touch of class – a horse to watch for the future." Colin Keane, who rode the runner‑up, added that Enceladus showed intelligence and determination, noting the colt’s habit of wearing earplugs to stay relaxed, and predicting a bright future for the young horse. Overall, the Goodwood meeting showcased the depth of talent in the O'Brien stable, with Diamond Necklace confirming her status as a top‑class filly capable of taking on older horses over extended distances, and Enceladus hinting at a promising career ahead.
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