2020 Sunday Times Sportswoman of The Year and HWPA Jockey of The Year in Britain
on True Self, Saudi Cup 21
21 February 2021, Dubai ~ A Finalist in the Dubai World People’s Choice Awards, 24-year-old British jockey Hollie Doyle has already had quite a year. She was named third in the 2020 edition of BBC’s Sport Personality of The Year, emulating a feat accomplished by the legendary Frankie Dettori, and in the process placed horse racing firmly in the spotlight.
The award put her in the company of sporting legends like Formula One- star Lewis Hamilton and football icon Jordan Henderson. This was a result of Doyle’s very impressive list of extraordinary achievements in 2020. Riding five winners in one afternoon, a victory at Royal Ascot with G1 success on British Champions’ Day, becoming the first woman to ride a winner at the International Jockeys’ Championship in Hong Kong and her record-breaking 151 wins, with 373 podium finishes are just some excerpts from Doyle’s remarkable year. In winning the award she also made a very important announcement to the world – that she had achieved success as an outstanding jockey, rather than a woman jockey.
Having learned to ride on a pony at a young age, Doyle claims “I sat on a horse before I could even walk!”. Both her parents Mark and Caroline were jockeys, which meant Hollie was immersed in the sport from the very beginning, going on to attain unprecedented success through dedication and hard work. One of the fittest jockeys on the circuit, amongst both men and women, Doyle is now a regular on the international arena, having earned a ride on the Breeders Cup card, Team Deirdre (Japan) called upon her services at the Bahrain International Trophy and she made history in Hong Kong, finishing third in the International Jockeys’ Championship. She added to her credits this last weekend by her win in a perfectly timed late rush aboard True Self in the Saudi Neom Turf Cup.
Famous for her work ethic and relentless pursuit of excellence Hollie Doyle was named 2020 Sunday Times Sportswoman of The Year and HWPA Jockey of The Year in Britain, where many are of the opinion it is only a matter of time before she becomes the country’s first female champion.
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