Plotting a path to Royal Ascot for Glen Shiel and Hollie Doyle

THE Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh has been identified as a likely comeback target for Group One-winning sprinter Glen Shiel, who has taken Hollie Doyle’s riding career to new heights.
By Tom Richmond
Published 16th Apr 2021, 17:00 BST
This was Hollie Doyle moments after her landmark Group One win on Glen Shiel last October.This was Hollie Doyle moments after her landmark Group One win on Glen Shiel last October.
This was Hollie Doyle moments after her landmark Group One win on Glen Shiel last October.

Bought for £45,000 out of Andre Fabre’s yard in the Spring of 2019, the Pivotal gelding has proved an excellent acquisition for the successful Hambleton Racing team which is based in York.

The seven-year-old has won five times for his current connections, with the highlight being his thrilling triumph in the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October – a first Group One success for Doyle, whose impact on the Flat is as significant as Rachael Blackmore’s historic win in the Randox Grand National on Minella Times.

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Glen Shiel also landed the Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh last summer – and a return to the home of Irish Flat racing on May 22 has been pencilled in as a potential starting point for the new campaign.

Glen Shiel and Hollie Doyle (centre) deny Brando and Tom Eaces (far side) in the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot last October.Glen Shiel and Hollie Doyle (centre) deny Brando and Tom Eaces (far side) in the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot last October.
Glen Shiel and Hollie Doyle (centre) deny Brando and Tom Eaces (far side) in the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot last October.

Cosmo Charlton, head racing manager for Hambleton, said: “Glen Shiel is in fantastic form. Everyone is very happy with him.

“He’s stepped up into faster work now, and Archie (Watson, trainer) is really pleased. We’re weighing up possible starting point options, but it might be the Greenlands Stakes over in Ireland – a Group Two at the end of May.

“The Duke of York (at York) is still under consideration as well, but I think the likelihood is he’ll go to the Greenlands and then Royal Ascot for the Diamond Jubilee.”

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