O’Brien Targets French Classic Double as Diamond Necklace Heads Chantilly Field

Unbeaten three-year-old filly Diamond Necklace has been installed as the 8/11 favourite for Sunday’s Prix de Diane at Chantilly, as trainer Aidan O’Brien bids to secure a second French Classic victory this season. The Group One contest, restricted to fillies and run over 2,100 metres, carries a prize fund of €1 million and features an 11-runner field.

O’Brien, who already secured success in the Prix du Jockey Club with Constitution River, views the return to Chantilly as the logical next step following Diamond Necklace’s impressive win in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp last month. Speaking to France Galop, the trainer confirmed that targeting this race was the original plan if her performance at the previous venue proved successful.

The step up in distance marks the furthest trip of Diamond Necklace’s career, having raced exclusively over one mile to date. O’Brien expressed confidence that the increased distance would suit the daughter of St Mark’s Basilica, noting she is "even better on better ground." He described her condition as excellent since her last victory, adding that a mile and a quarter should not present a problem.

Ballydoyle is expected to send a second runner, with Moments Of Joy identified as a likely contender following her fourth-place finish in the Musidora Stakes at York. The British challenge is led by William Haggas’s Lilt, who is priced at 11/2 and is expected to be ridden by Tom Marquand, and Evolutionist, the runner-up in the English 1,000 Guineas, who is available at 8/1.

O’Brien’s history in this specific race has been mixed, with his only previous success coming in 2021 with Joan Of Arc. Previous attempts included an unplaced finish with Kitty Matcham in 2008, a pulled-up Rhododendron in 2017, and a second-place finish with Never Ending Story in 2023. The Irish trainer now turns his attention to Royal Ascot next week, where he holds a record 96 winners.