Honoured jockey Hollie Doyle says it is ‘crazy’ she has been nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year

HOLLIE DOYLE was prepared to write off 2020 as a non-event when Britain was plunged into lockdown – and horse racing suspended.
This was Hollie Doyle after the Champions Day win of Glen Shiel.This was Hollie Doyle after the Champions Day win of Glen Shiel.
This was Hollie Doyle after the Champions Day win of Glen Shiel.

Now, after a surreal year like no other, the groundbreaking jockey finds herself in the running to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday.

It has been a remarkable 12 months for the rider, who broke her own record for the most winners in a calendar year by a female jockey.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She then enjoyed a Champions Day double at Ascot – including her first Group One aboard Glen Shiel, owned by Yorkshire-based Hambleton Racing, in the British Champions Sprint.

Jockey Hollie Doyle continues to enjoy a groundbreaking year.Jockey Hollie Doyle continues to enjoy a groundbreaking year.
Jockey Hollie Doyle continues to enjoy a groundbreaking year.

This was the remarkable day when her partner Tom Marquand won the concluding two races, including the Champion Stakes, to cap his own momentous year after landing the St Leger in September on Galileo Chrome.

Earlier in the campaign Doyle claimed her first Royal Ascot success on Scarlet Dragon, and has since taken part at the Breeders’ Cup in America, in Bahrain and just last week rode a winner in the Longines International Jockeys Championship in Hong Kong.

But it is also testament to Doyle’s engaging personality, and determination to be treated as an equal, that she’s made such a mark beyond racing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Before going up against the likes of Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton and cricket’s Stuart Broad, when the public votes for its favourite British sports star of the year, Doyle said: “It doesn’t get much bigger than the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, does it?

This was Hollie Doyle winning at Royal Ascot on Scarlet Dragon.This was Hollie Doyle winning at Royal Ascot on Scarlet Dragon.
This was Hollie Doyle winning at Royal Ascot on Scarlet Dragon.

“It’s a massive, massive honour to be nominated. It’s pretty crazy, to be honest.

“I’d be gobsmacked if I won – I wouldn’t know how to react, I don’t think.”

The 24-year-old’s outstanding achievements have already been recognised with several awards – as the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year, the Sports Journalists’ Association Sportswoman of the Year and Flat Jockey of the Year at the HWPA Derby Awards.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Doyle, who has also received four nominations for next week’s Lesters Awards, is the first short-list contender for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year from the world of racing since Sir AP McCoy – the sport’s only winner to date in 2010.

He was also third in both 2002 and 2013. A third place finish is the best Frankie Dettori has achieved – and that came on the back of his ‘magnificent seven’ at Ascot in 1996.

“I cannot believe how the year has gone,” reflected Doyle this week. “I kind of wrote it off when we were in lockdown and thought ‘any winners I get this year would be a bonus, and I won’t be beating my record from last year’.

“It’s been pretty mad, and I’m just humbled by everyone’s support and the way everyone has helped me out throughout the year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I loved riding in Hong Kong last week. It was one of the best places I’ve been to, and I’d really love to go back one day.”

Whatever happens on Sunday, Doyle will not be resting on her laurels.

She said: “I’m riding every day this week and I’ll be staying here for the winter. Things don’t really quieten down at all for me, but that’s not a bad thing.”

Meanwhile Lake View Lad is set to stick to Grade Two company for the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham next month following his surprise victory at Aintree under champion jockey Brian Hughes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The grey defeated last year’s Cotswold winner and subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Santini to give his owner Trevor Hemmings a special triumph in the Many Clouds Chase, named in honour of his 2015 Grand National hero. “He’s in great form, he’s come out of his race really well,” reported trainer Nick Alexander.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.