Ascot’s golden couple Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle saluted by top trainer William Haggas

Haggas was speaking after Marquand drove Addeybb, a dual Group One winner in Australia earlier this year, to an emphatic victory in the Qipco Champion Stakes, the centrepiece of the six-race Ascot card.

Conditions played their part and suited the six-year-old on a day when the testing ground meant many proven stars, like 2019 Champion Stakes heroine Magical, were not performing to their very optimum.

Marquand then took the concluding Balmoral Handicap on Irish raider Njord, beating the Doyle-ridden Solid Stone at the end of a memorable day for racing’s golden couple.

Earlier, Doyle, fourth in the 2020 title race, won the Group Two Long Distance Cup on Trueshan before getting back up on the line to win the Group One Sprint on Archie Watson’s Glen Shiel.

Her first win at the highest level, and in the week that saw her become the most successful female jockey in a season, Glen Shiel just denied veteran Brando, who put in a virtuoso performance for Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan and jockey Tom Eaves in the colours of Angie Bailey.

The Marquand-Doyle success story was summed up by Yorkshire-born Haggas after one of the most significant wins of his distinguished training career.

“Tom’s a young guy who has a girlfriend kicking him up the backside every day, but he’s a very personable, strong rider with a big future,” said Haggas.

“I have no doubt he will be champion one day. They need to be riding on days like this, and he’s got there very young, but he has a great future ahead of him.”

As for Addeybb, who first caught the eye when landing the 2018 season-opening Lincoln handicap at Doncaster, Haggas ventured: “He was really up for it today. He is fantastic and I am absolutely thrilled for everyone.

“He didn’t mind (the draw, 11). He was in a great position and he stays. He is tough, he loves the ground and loves it here.

“He is great at home and Safid (Alam), who rides him every day, said this morning that he would win and that he was really on form. I have been not very well for a bit and then have been at the sales when I have been better, so I have hardly seen him.

“I have seen him at first lot but that is it really, so all credit to my team at home and to Safid in particular, who dotes on this horse. I think he is looking for another couple of months in Australia next Spring!”

Haggas added: “Addeybb is a special horse for us and has done lots of things that we can only dream of.”

This was reflected by Marquand. Last month’s St Leger-winning rider said: “Honestly, what a credit to Safid, William and Maureen (Haggas) and the whole team at home.

“He has gone to Australia, conquered Down Under and now he’s come back up, he deserved that Group One up here so much because all he’s done is knock on the door, show he’s a champion and he’s never got his real swansong today, but today’s he’s got it.”

The rider and his partner, who met as teenagers on the pony racing circuit, then posed for photos with their respective trophies. “We live a pretty normal lifestyle outside racing, which probably surprises everyone,” said Doyle.

But Marquand chipped in: “I have booked a place up the road for us for dinner tonight – I hope it’s all right!”

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James Mitchinson