Marten Julian’s Weekly Roundup 11 May 2026

It’s difficult to know where to start when trying to predict the likely Ballydoyle representatives at Epsom … all the more so given that ‘The Lads’ have not, as far as we know, apparently yet had the conversation with their trainer.

I don’t envy Ryan Moore’s predicament when the time arrives to commit to his ride, if it comes to that.

In the past Aidan O’Brien has tended to go into the Derby ‘mob handed,’ either when it looks an open race or if he lacks an obvious top contender. In that respect it will be intriguing to see how many, or how few, horses represent him in the Derby and the Oaks.

The number crunchers were working overtime analysing the respective merits of the stable’s trial winners last week, and we still have York to come.

The horse that most excites me at this time is Diamond Necklace, who remains unbeaten in four starts following her emphatic three-length success in Sunday’s Poule d’Essai Des Pouliches.

For all her talent, having won a Group 1 over the course and distance last autumn, her other outstanding attribute is courage.

That was first evident when she overcame a rough passage to make a winning debut in a 7f contest at the Curragh in August and again she has had to come from some way off the pace to win her next three starts.

Above all that, and I have mentioned this in the past, I love seeing a horse display ability at a trip short of the requirements of its pedigree. There have been many examples at the highest level that I can bring to mind … I think I’ve mentioned Sun Princess, who won the 1983 Oaks by a massive 12 lengths … and Diamond Necklace’s pedigree is chock full of stamina on her dam’s side.

She is a half-sister to no fewer than eight winners, all of them effective over ten furlongs or more, including Irish Oaks winner Chicquita and Australian Group 1 winner Magic Wand, who stayed a mile and a half.

This filly’s style of racing, her pedigree and tenacity make up into a lethal cocktail and, good fortune permitting, I expect her to prove unbeatable against her own sex at a mile and a quarter and beyond.

As for her next race, I suspect the Prix de Diane will be favoured over Epsom, but wherever she runs I’m expecting her to excel.

Bye for now

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