With the 2025 flat season now deep inside the final furlong, thoughts begin to turn to which stars might light up the Classic stage in 2026. The closing weeks of the campaign present a host of quality juvenile events, which invariably attract the cream of the two-year-old crop – those runners whom connections believe may possess the talent to strike on the big stage at Newmarket and Epsom.
Two of the most influential two-year-old events take place at the headquarters of the flat racing game. Kicking off on Friday, 10th October, the aptly named Dubai Future Champions Festival is lit up by the Group 1 duo of the Darley Dewhurst Stakes for the colts, and the bet365 Fillies’ Mile. Both contests have attracted a stellar entry in 2025, with the fillies’ event, in particular, stacked with intriguing contenders.
Looking at the past 10 years alone, the Fillies’ Mile roll of honour includes the names of Minding, Laurens, Inspiral, and Desert Flower. Who will add their name to that list in 2025?
Gosden and Juddmonte to Link Up for Success?
With six wins, John Gosden is tied with Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien as the most successful trainer in Fillies’ Mile history. The late Juddmonte supremo, Khalid Abdullah, won the race twice during his lifetime, with Reams Of Verse (1996) and Quadrilateral (2019).
The market suggests that Gosden and Juddmonte have every chance of adding to their tallies with the current favourite Legacy Link. By the brilliant Godolphin sire Dubawi and out of a mare by the mighty Galileo, Legacy Link possesses one of the most coveted pedigree combinations in the sport. The first foal of the limited Chiasma, she has already suggested she may surpass her dam’s exploits at the track.
Missing the break and losing ground mid-race, Legacy Link was all at sea on her debut at this track in August. However, she stepped forward significantly from that effort when easily claiming a novice contest at Haydock. Colin Keane nominated this event as a possible target after that success and hinted at further improvement to come.
Precise On Target for O’Brien?
As is usually the case ahead of significant Group 1 contests, Aidan O’Brien dominates the list of Fillies’ Mile entries. Of the 15 fillies still in contention, no fewer than 6 hail from O’Brien’s County Tipperary operation.
Of the Ballydoyle dozen, Precise and Diamond Necklace bring the strongest form claims to the table. With Diamond Necklace set to line up in the Prix Marcel Boussac, Precise appears the most likely to face this Newmarket challenge.
Precise is sired by Starspangledbanner, a noted speed influence who doesn’t tend to produce Classic winners. As such, it would be a surprise if she progressed to land the 1,000 Guineas. However, she has already struck in Group 1 company as a juvenile. Successful in three of four career outings, she conquered Prix Morny winner Venetian Sun last time out in the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
Joseph and Donnacha Add to O’Brien Threat
If Aidan O’Brien fails in his quest to claim a seventh Fillies’ Mile, it may be one of his sons who thwarts him.
Having ridden his father’s Together Forever (2014) to win the race as a jockey, Joseph O’Brien has since claimed the race twice as a trainer. Following the victories of Iridessa (2018) and Pretty Gorgeous (2020), Joseph bids to make it three with Queen Of Hawaii.
This daughter of Kingman caught the eye when sixth on debut, then made no mistake second time out at Leopardstown. She then thrust her name into the Group 1 mix with an impressive victory by just over two lengths in a Group 3 contest at the Curragh. Already proven at up to a mile, she has no concerns in the stamina department and looks a big threat to all.
2YO QUEEN OF HAWAII justifies her high regard in the Gr3 Newtownanner Stud Stakes @curraghrace for @JosephOBrien2
By Kingman (@JuddmonteFarms), she sold #GoffsOrby from @BarodaStudIre
to her owner @PhilAntonacci pic.twitter.com/ihphMiQnP4— Goffs (@Goffs1866) August 30, 2025
On pedigree alone, Donnacha O’Brien’s Lookingforarainbow was one of the most appealing fillies in the field. Sire Justify was a US Triple Crown winner, while her dam, Damson, won the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes in 2004. Despite that promise, Lookingforarainbow has failed to deliver in two starts to date. Those efforts weren’t without encouragement, but she now looks to be aimed at the Listed Star Appeal Stakes at Dundalk on the same day.
Others to note include the Charlie Appleby-trained Dance To The Music, Roger Varian’s Classic Cuvee, and the unbeaten Amora Queen. If the main protagonists stand their ground, fans can look forward to an excellent edition of the £500,000 event.
