Diamonds Galore

That first win finally arrived at Market Rasen in April 2026, and it was worth the wait. Nicky Henderson, one of the most respected trainers in British racing, has her based at his yard in Upper Lambourn — a stable that has sent out 90 winners already this season alone. When Henderson talks about a horse having ability, it is worth paying attention, and he has described Diamonds Galore as "very nice" and "more than capable." High praise from a man who deals in quality horses every single day.

Her recent form makes for interesting reading. Looking at her last six races from most recent backwards — 6th, 1st, a run to set aside, then 2nd, 2nd, 2nd — the pattern is one of a horse that hit a purple patch, landed that long-awaited win, and then found the step back up in class a fraction too demanding in her latest outing. She has typically competed at Class 4 level, which is mid-tier racing, and has yet to win at that grade in four attempts. Her Market Rasen victory came at a level below that, which tells you she is still finding her feet and working out where she belongs in the pecking order.

Most of her racing has come over hurdles — small jumps that test both speed and jumping ability — and it is a sphere she is clearly still learning. Henderson flagged that she produced a poor run over hurdles at Huntingdon earlier in her career, but backed her to improve. She raced just yesterday, so she is very much in the thick of an active season. The question now is whether that Market Rasen win has given her the confidence to kick on, or whether she will return to her more familiar role of running an honest race and picking up the prize money just off the podium.