Diamond Necklace confirmed her reputation with a commanding victory in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, extending her flawless record to six wins from six starts. After capping a flawless two‑year‑old season with a triumph in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend at Longchamp, Aidan O'Brien’s talented filly returned to France to claim back‑to‑back Classics, winning both the French 1000 Guineas and the French Oaks. Entering the Nassau Stakes as the 4‑6 favourite, she faced older horses for the first time.
Despite a determined challenge from Friendly Soul, jockey Ryan Moore rode with unshakable confidence, and Diamond Necklace pulled away, winning by two and three‑quarter lengths with apparent ease. Moore was effusive after the race, noting that the filly seemed to be at her best ever. "She felt the best she ever has, and she’s still improving with each run," he said.
He added that trainer Aidan O'Brien had mentioned a slight increase in her weight on the day, but that it appeared to be strength rather than a hindrance. "She’s classy, it was very easy.
She travelled smoothly, quickened nicely, and although she can be a little idle up front, she’s a true racing machine," Moore explained. He praised her pedigree, pointing out that her sire, St Mark’s Basilica, was known for a sharp turn of foot – a trait clearly evident in Diamond Necklace’s performance. O'Brien also expressed his delight at the filly’s continued perfection. "She’s lovely and progressing.
She was a bit heavier today, but our work rider Rachel Richardson was confident it was just building strength," he said. He highlighted the quality of her effort over a mile and a quarter against older fillies, noting that the race was far from a “Mickey Mouse” affair.
"We gave her a lot of pace because we wanted a genuine contest, and she showed she has options now," O'Brien added. He praised her cruising ability and the way she navigates a race, saying, "You can see her quality in how she travels. Ryan wanted to let her lead longer, but her stride was breaking, so she kept going. She’s a great cruiser with a lot of class and is progressing wonderfully – I’m over the moon." The win adds another chapter to her already impressive résumé, and her connections are already looking ahead.
Paddy Power shortened her odds for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe from 14/1 to 8/1, but O'Brien has not yet decided whether to stretch her stamina beyond ten furlongs. He hinted at several possibilities for the remainder of the season, including a mile‑and‑a‑quarter race at Leopardstown (the Irish Champion Stakes), an Arc trial in France, or even a Breeders' Cup campaign. "She handles soft ground as well as fast ground, loves nice ground and a quick track, and has a long stride.
The Arc is a possibility, but we’ll see how far we push her," O'Brien said. 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. 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 her future programme, which offers several good opportunities for older fillies." 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, who has improved markedly after being stepped up in distance, previously won at Cork and captured the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot. Enceladus, trained by William Haggas and sent off as the 6‑4 favourite, held off Geryon by a length and a quarter under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. The classic sponsor Betfred has offered him 10‑1 odds for the St Leger, a race that would give Joseph O'Brien his first British Classic win as a trainer since Galileo Chrome in 2018. However, O'Brien cautioned that a St Leger target is not set in stone, saying, "It’s an obvious option, but I don’t know if we’ll push him past a mile and a half yet.
We’ll see how he pulls up and decide after that." McMonagle described Enceladus as a “lovely, big, straightforward horse” who has improved with every run and believes the colt can compete at Group Two and Group One level with a little more time. Colin Keane, who rode the runner‑up, noted that Enceladus showed intelligence and potential, adding that the horse still has room to grow and even uses earplugs to help him relax. Both jockeys agreed that the young colt is a work in progress but one with a bright future. Overall, Diamond Necklace’s dominant display at Goodwood has solidified her status as one of the leading three‑year‑old fillies in Europe.
With a flawless record, versatile pedigree, and a trainer willing to explore a range of distances and venues, she remains a prime contender for the season’s biggest races, whether that be the Arc, the Irish Champion Stakes, or a potential Breeders' Cup appearance. Fans can stay updated on the latest racing news, interviews, and features via Sky Sports Racing and other outlets, ensuring they never miss a moment of this thrilling campaign.