Diamond Necklace, undefeated and aiming for another G1 crown in the Prix Jean Romanet

The extraordinary daughter of St Mark’s Basilica will put her flawless record on the line this Sunday at Deauville, seeking her fifth consecutive G1 victory ; the bay headlines a stellar European card that also features the Prix Morny (G1-1,200m), where a deep field of promising 2-year-olds promises to deliver another thrill on a magnificent afternoon of turf action

DEAUVILLE, France (Special for Turf Diario).— Some unbeaten records are built in the safety of soft spots, while others expand their stature as the challenges grow larger. Diamond Necklace belongs squarely to the second camp. Aidan O’Brien’s fantastic filly will arrive this Sunday for the Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet (G1-2,000m) at Deauvillewith six starts, six victories, and a four-race G1 winning streak that is shaping an extraordinary campaign.

The daughter of St Mark’s Basilica will be the main attraction of another top-tier afternoon on the Normandy coast, tackling the 2,000 meters of the Romanet against 10 rivals as she looks to add a new trophy to a collection that has grown exponentially during 2026.

Diamond Necklace kicked off her season taking the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (G1) at ParisLongchamp before extending her domain over further ground to capture the Prix de Diane (G1) at Chantilly. Any lingering doubts regarding her ability to translate her class outside France were erased in her most recent outing, when she traveled to Goodwood to handle the Nassau Stakes (G1) with total authority.

Since then, everything has gone according to plan at Ballydoyle. "Diamond Necklace is in good form, she seems very well. Everything has gone as we had hoped since her last race," offered Aidan O’Brien, always measured when discussing his stars.

The Prix Jean Romanet will present a fresh test for Diamond Necklace, not only because of her return to 2,000 meters, but because she will face a deep and experienced lineup. Aidan O’Brien will even field two stablemates, with Beautify (Wootton Bassett) and Moments Of Joy (Justify) accompanying the heavy favorite.

Ireland will hold additional hands with Rebel Moon (Lope de Vega), trained by Joseph O’Brien, and Red Letter(Frankel), presented by Ger Lyons. Great Britain will send over Timeforshowcasing (Showcasing), the German 1000 Guineas heroine trained by Charlie Johnston, and Qilin Queen (Pinatubo), under the care of Ed Walker.

Naturally, France will look to defend home turf with a strong contingent led by Cankoura (Persian King), from the always dangerous yard of Francis-Henri Graffard, alongside Aventure (Sea the Stars), prepped by Christophe Ferland; Pink Panthera (Chachnak), from Patrice Cottier; and Pierchic (Palace Pier), under the charge of Henri-Alex Pantall.

All of them must figure out a way to break the perfection of Diamond Necklace, a filly who has answered every question so far, regardless of venue, distance, or level of demand.

Yet the Romanet is far from the only unmissable G1 on Sunday’s card at Deauville. The Sumbe Prix Morny (G1), a cornerstone contest for 2-year-old sprinters in Europe, will also feature an unbeaten star at the center of attention.

That would be Orthodox (Havana Grey), trained by Clive Cox, who has not raced since his victory in the Norfolk Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot. A minor setback forced him to skip the Prix Robert Papin (G2), but the colt is now fully ready for his return.

"He is in excellent form and it looks like we will have a drier forecast over the next couple of days, which will suit him," Clive Cox explained, pleased with his pupil's progress.

Orthodox, however, will meet high-grade opposition among the eight declared runners.

Simon Crisford and Ed Crisford will send out Senorita Bonita (Starspangledbanner), runner-up in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot, who subsequently scored a high-value victory in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (G2) at Newmarket—beating Libertango (No Nay Never), who boosted that form line this week by taking the Lowther Stakes (G2).

As is customary in European major events, Aidan O’Brien will also have a strong say in the Morny. Ballydoyle boasts a three-pronged entry: Great Barrier Reef (No Nay Never), winner of the Coventry Stakes (G2); Man’s Best Friend(No Nay Never), coming off a triumph in the Richmond Stakes (G2); and Carry The Flag (No Nay Never), who appears on paper as the lesser of the trio.

Thus, Deauville promises another essential Sunday, showcasing some of Europe's top juvenile talents in action with two unbeaten runners attempting to extend their streak.

Still, by virtue of class and pure track record, all eyes will turn first toward Diamond Necklace. Six for six, four consecutive G1 titles, and three major victories this season across three different venues.

The Prix Jean Romanet is the next stop for a filly who, so far, knows nothing other than winning.