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.
“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.”
