Diamond Necklace, the unbeaten filly trained by Aidan O’Brien, is set to contest the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday, aiming for a sixth victory in the race and a third consecutive win. The three-year-old daughter of St Mark’s Basilica has an impeccable record of five wins from five starts, including recent Classic triumphs in the French 1,000 Guineas and the French Oaks. Her stamina over the 10-furlong trip, proven in the Oaks, and adaptability to fast ground conditions make her a strong favorite for this year’s Nassau Stakes.
Despite her unbeaten form, official ratings place Diamond Necklace at 115, only marginally higher than her main rivals: See The Fire (rated 114) and Friendly Soul (rated 113). However, as a three-year-old, Diamond Necklace will receive a 9lb weight allowance from her older opponents, which could prove decisive in determining the outcome of the race.
See The Fire, trained by Hugo Palmer, has a consistent history in this contest, finishing second in 2024 and third last year. She has two wins so far this season, including the Middleton Stakes, but carried a demanding campaign that saw her finish unplaced at Royal Ascot’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Friendly Soul, a former Group 1 winner, recently finished a close third in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot but was hampered by lack of clear running, suggesting she could pose a significant threat if given a smoother trip.
Another contender is Botagoz, the progressive three-year-old trained by Roger Varian, who comes into the race with three wins from four starts, including a Group 3 success at Newcastle. While this represents a considerable step up in class, her continued improvement means she cannot be discounted.
Connections of Diamond Necklace have opted to replace her usual jockey, Kieran Shoemark—who has ridden the filly to previous victories—with William Buick for this race, a decision noted by observers as unusual given Shoemark’s proven rapport with the filly. The Gosden stable, which manages the horse, appears to favour Buick despite Shoemark’s success aboard.
In addition to the Nassau Stakes, Goodwood’s meeting features several other notable events. The opening race, a handicap over a mile and a quarter for three-year-olds, includes Ciarrrai Abu, a talented but unpredictable horse who will be ridden by Saffie Osborne. The Richmond Stakes for juveniles over six furlongs highlights Adaay of Scarlett, trained by Hugo Palmer, a consistent competitor who narrowly missed top placings in previous high-profile sprints.
The Group 3 Gordon Stakes, seen as a trial for the St Leger, features Bay of Brilliance, who aims to rebound after disappointing in a recent outing in Germany. A sprint handicap for three-year-olds over five furlongs rounds out the televised races with Noble Vow, a gelding trained by Richard Hannon, expected to improve after a recent return to form.
With a strong field assembled and several established and emerging stars taking part, Thursday’s Goodwood card promises competitive racing across multiple classes and distances. Diamond Necklace remains the filly to beat in the Nassau Stakes, though the presence of capable rivals ensures a compelling contest for top honors.