Hollie Doyle has set a British record for a female jockey with her 107th win for the year.
Doyle equalled Josephine Gordon’s tally of 106, achieved in 2017, at Wolverhampton on Saturday – and did not have to wait too long to overtake her friend and colleague, although she rode three seconds on Wednesday.
Sent off the 4-1 favourite at Southwell on Thursday, Class Clown prevailed by a head.
“He’s a big baby, but the further we went the better he was,” Doyle told Sky Sports Racing.
“Two out I thought we’d get there nice and easy, but he had to work hard for it. Half a furlong out I didn’t think we’d get by, but the penny dropped eventually.
“I feel a bit emotional and really grateful. I’m just very lucky.”
Doyle, 23, became the third woman to reach a century in a year after Gordon and Hayley Turner when she won on The Perfect Crown at Chelmsford on November 21.
“Myself and Hollie started riding at kind of the same time, so to see her do it is brilliant,” Gordon said.
“I know how hard she works.
“I would have liked to have held the record longer, but I’m not going to be too fussy!”
Trainer Archie Watson, who has given Doyle over 40 winners this year, said Doyle had earned her success.
“The main thing with Hollie is she gives them a ride every time,” he said.
“I know all jockeys make mistakes, but I think she makes less than most – she’s very consistent. She deserves every success, she works very hard and is a very talented jockey.”
Turner was also full of praise for her rival.
“Hollie has a great attitude, she’s worked really hard all year so it’s great to see her break the record,” she said.
“It’s great for the sport and I’m just really pleased to see many female jockeys doing well. The standard seems to be raised higher every year and hopefully that continues.”
