Diamond Necklace took her record to an unblemished four from four as she gave Aidan O’Brien his first French 1000 Guineas since Rose Gypsy in 2001. The daughter of St Mark’s Basilica made her debut at the Curragh in August, staying on strongly to beat two stablemates. She backed that up listed company, beating the subsequent Fred Darling winner Sukanya. Her season culminated at Longchamp in the Prix Marcel Boussac, and successfully returned there on Sunday.
Diamond Necklace is beautifully bred with Longchamp success etched in her pedigree. Her father won the French 2000 Guineas in 2021, and her dam won the Listed Prix de la Seine in 2008. She’s a half-sister to connections admirable globetrotter Magic Wand, albeit she could only finish twice at Longchamp on two occasions.
Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, via Racing TV, Aidan O’Brien said: “Ryan gave her a brilliant ride. She’s just like her dad, improved a lot from two to three. She was very classy last year. Christophe won on her twice and today was the first time for Ryan to ride her on a raceday. He gave her a beautiful ride. What can you say? She’s very cool, she’s got a lot of natural ability. I’m over the moon for everybody. She’s a lovely filly, very natural.
Diamond Necklace a “Prix de Diane, or maybe an Oaks” filly – Aidan O’Brien
While her form came on better ground last season, she coped with the rapidly softened conditions well, displaying an element of stamina to add to her turn of foot. As a result, connections will now deliberate as to just how far she’ll go in trip this season.
“She went through the race very easily, she handled the ground very well. She’s a natural and her dad was like that” continued O’Brien. “He won the Guineas here and then went back and won the French Derby. We saw what he did after that. She’s beautiful. She’s got an unbelievable pedigree. It’s all her dad. He improved a lot from two to three and she looks like doing the same.
“We had it in our heads that she would be a Prix de Diane filly or maybe an Oaks. It depends on what the lads want to do, but we thought that was what she was going to do and maybe go up to a mile and a quarter. She’s very exciting and we’re so lucky to have her.”