Hollie Doyle is counting on her growing international experience and past success at Happy Valley to claim her first outright win in the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) on December 4.
The 28-year-old has shown her prowess in the event before, finishing joint-third in 2020 and sharing second place in 2021, with individual race victories aboard Harmony N Blessed and Viva Hunter. This year, she will represent Britain alongside Ryan Moore and William Buick.
“It’s great to be invited back to the IJC for a fifth year,” said Doyle. “It’s an honour to represent Great Britain and compete against some of the world’s best jockeys. The HKJC has always been fantastic to me, and I look forward to being part of it again.”
Currently riding in Japan alongside her husband, Tom Marquand, Doyle emphasised how her global experiences have prepared her for the intense competition.
“I’ve ridden all over the world now, and I love gaining international experience,” she added. “The more you compete globally, the more opportunities you get for the big races. The rides and the draw are crucial, especially at Happy Valley, which is such a tight track. A wide barrier can be very tough.”
Having secured previous wins at Happy Valley, Doyle believes her familiarity with the track will give her an edge. “Luckily, I’ve had a few winners there and know the track quite well. That experience really helps in such a competitive environment.”
With the IJC bringing together elite jockeys from around the globe, Doyle is ready to capitalise on her skills and experience to chase her first outright championship win.