Bow Echo, Diamond Necklace remain unbeaten at Goodwood

Favorites swept the three Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifiers at Goodwood on Tuesday and Wednesday, earning fees-paid berths to compete in the 2026 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.

Sussex (G1)

Tuesday’s Sussex, a one-mile steppingstone to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), saw unbeaten three-year-old Bow Echo bring his career tally to 6-for-6 with a tenacious triumph for trainer George Boughey and owner Exors of the Late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid.

Bow Echo opened 2026 with victories over Gstaad in the 2000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket and the St. James’s Palace (G1) at Royal Ascot. Gstaad, conqueror of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), challenged Bow Echo once again in the Sussex.

The outcome was the same, though it wasn’t without drama. Bow Echo rated off the pace under jockey Billy Loughnane and lacked racing room turning for home. It took some time to find a way out, but Bow Echo finally secured a lane and launched a strong late rally to catch Gstaad by half a length, completing one mile over good-to-firm turf in 1:36.03.

Opera Ballo finished best of the older horses in third place, followed by Ten Bob Tony, Zavateri, Never So Brave, Lake Forest, Docklands, Qirat, Seagulls Eleven, Puerto Rico, and Dorset.

Boughey indicated the Breeders’ Cup Mile is in the cards for Bow Echo.

“I think the plan was always to go to France for either the Marois or the Moulin. Fundamentally, we would like the horse to end up at the Breeders' Cup at the end of the year,” said Boughey. “I think a mile round a bend there, with a strong pace, will suit him very well.”

Nassau (G1)

On Wednesday, undefeated sophomore Diamond Necklace earned a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) when dominating a small field in the 1 1/4-mile Nassau.

Coming off five straight wins, including triumphs in the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1), Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (G1), and Prix de Diane (G1), Diamond Necklace had no trouble defeating older rivals in the Nassau. She rated in third place as stablemate Moments of Joy carved out the pace, then took over in the homestretch to score by 2 3/4 lengths in 2:04.40 over good-to-firm going.

Friendly Soul took second place by five lengths over See The Fire, while Botagoz and Moments of Joy trailed the field.

“Diamond Necklace is a lovely filly who has danced every dance,” said O’Brien. “This was up to a mile and a quarter against older fillies, so we did not really know what was going to happen, but we wanted to put on pace to find out. We did not want a Mickey Mouse race.”

Ryan Moore rode the winner, who races for the Coolmore partnership of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, and Westerberg.

“[Diamond Necklace] has options now, whether she stays at a mile and a quarter and goes to the fillies’ race in France, or to Leopardstown or an Arc trial,” said O’Brien. “She has all of those options open to her. She goes on soft ground as well as fast ground. She is a great cruiser and progressing well.”

Molecomb (G3)

Pershaada claimed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) berth up for grabs in Tuesday’s Molecomb, a five-furlong dash for juveniles contested over good-to-firm footing.

One of three fillies in the 11-horse field, Pershaada proved decisively best. The Richard Hannon trainee raced in roughly midfield under jockey Sean Levey before surging in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by two lengths in :56.82.

Adonius took second place by a neck over Hell of a Spin, followed by Sale Shark, El Floridita, Brazilian Diva, Ruler’s Pride, Undercover Affair, Bill the Bull, Crownbreaker, and Flight Signal.

Middleham Park Racing XXIV campaigns Pershaada, who could be bound for a start against older rivals in the Nunthorpe (G1).

"She is an extremely fast filly, and there is a good chance we might have a look at the Nunthorpe Stakes at York,” said Hannon. “She looks quick enough for that. She seems to win with a lot of authority, especially today, and that screams to me that, with the weight allowance from the older horses in a sprint, she would have a great chance.”

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