Hollie Doyle becomes first female jockey to ride Royal Ascot Group 1 winner

20 June 2023 , 15:59
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Hollie Doyle: won the King
Hollie Doyle: won the King's Stand Stakes on Bradsell (Image: Getty)

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.”

Jon Lees

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