Doyle achieves her 1,000th career victory
Hollie Doyle celebrated a major milestone by securing her 1,000th career victory aboard Leyhaimur at Goodwood on Tuesday.
Doyle's journey since her first win 11 years ago has been remarkable. In 2019, she set a new record for the most winners ridden by a female jockey in a single season with 116 victories. Her success has continued to grow, including her ninth European Group One win last month when she rode Bradsell to victory in the Nunthorpe at York.
After a fruitless day at Brighton on Monday with six rides, Doyle arrived at Goodwood needing a double to reach the 1,000-win mark. She first succeeded with the Robert Cowell-trained Almaty Star in a five-furlong handicap. Despite a disappointing eighth-place finish on Shimmering Spin in the subsequent race, Doyle quickly returned to the winner's circle when David Simcock’s Leyhaimur won the fillies’ nursery by two-and-a-half lengths.
A jubilant Doyle expressed her gratitude to Racing TV, saying, "I never imagined reaching this number of winners when I started my career. I’m incredibly thankful for all the support I’ve received from trainers, owners, and my agent. Even though I’m probably a nightmare to work with, they’ve all done a fantastic job for me."
Doyle has consistently ridden over 100 winners annually since 2019, with her peak at 172 in 2021. She has already reached the century mark for this season. Her breakthrough came in 2020 with her first Royal Ascot win, where Alan King's Scarlet Dragon triumphed in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes. That year also saw her achieve a five-timer at Windsor and secure her first Group-race win on Dame Maillot in the Prince of Wales's Stakes. She became the first woman to win on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot with Trueshan and achieved her first Group One victory with Glen Shiel in the Champions Sprint.
Doyle's achievements also include being named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year and finishing third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. She has added Group One victories on Trueshan, The Platinum Queen, Nashwa, and Bradsell to her resume and finished joint second in the jockeys' championship in 2022 alongside her husband, Tom Marquand.
Her success extends beyond the UK, with notable wins in Japan, including 13 victories during a two-month stint, the Italian Oaks on Shavasana, and the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia aboard True Self for Willie Mullins.
While Hollie Doyle follows Hayley Turner, who reached 1,000 career wins last year, Doyle achieved this milestone in less than half the time Turner took. Reflecting on her career, Doyle said, "It feels like an age since I started, but statistically, it’s happened quickly. My first Group One win on Glen Shiel and my Classic win with Nashwa are unforgettable moments."
Doyle also praised her partnership with Trueshan, who has provided her with ten victories, and expressed her continued excitement for future successes. She acknowledged the significant support from Archie Watson and other trainers throughout her career, including her early grounding with Dave Evans and education with Richard Hannon.
Looking ahead, Doyle's ambitions include winning more Group One races and aspiring to become a champion jockey. She concluded, "My ultimate dream is to be a champion. I have the drive and work ethic for it, but it’s about whether I’m capable and good enough to achieve it."