20 June 2023 , 15:59
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Hollie Doyle made Royal Ascot history when she became the first female jockey to ride a Group 1 winner at the world-famous fixture on Tuesday.
The star rider, who holds the record for the most winners in a season by a female jockey, made her latest breakthrough on Bradsell in the King’s Stand Stakes.
The three-year-old colt, trained by Archie Watson, had to survive a stewards inquiry before he could be confirmed the winner over the favourite Highfield Princess following interference near the line.
Doyle, 26, is one of only four female jockeys to ride a winner at Royal Ascot. Her best win before Tuesday came on Bradsell in last year’s Group 2 Coventry Stakes.
She is now the most successful female jockey in Royal Ascot history having overtaken Hayley Turner who has three wins with her fourth triumph.
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“Coming to Royal Ascot and again having a winner on the first day is unbelievable,” said Doyle.
“I have a big book of rides but you play it down every year thinking if I got one I’d be doing well.
“It’s a great achievement and hopefully there will be plenty more ahead. You live for Group 1s. It’s a great day to win the King’s Stand for Archie and Victorious Racing.
“We were just touched off in the Coventry, the race before, so I was pretty heartbroken. As a jockey coming second is not good enough.”
Doyle rode her first Classic winner when she won the French Oaks on Nashwa last year and rode a calendar best of 172 wins in 2021.
While the stewardes allowed the result to stand, Doyle picked up a four day ban for careless riding
“I’m sick of inquiries,” she said. “It’s hard to enjoy the win. I was a bit surprised with the ban. I switched my stick as soon as he hung left. I was trying to keep him straight. Thankfully we kept the race.”