Hollie Doyle wins Sunday Times Sportswoman Of The Year Award

News | 25^th November 2020

Hollie Doyle fends off strong competition to win the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year after her record-breaking 2020.

Hollie Doyle has had a sensational 2020, breaking records, competing on the biggest stage and consistently showing herself to be one of the world’s best riders.

Hollie’s achievements have been not only remarkable in the realm of horse racing but in the wider sporting world. To mark her quite remarkable year she has deservedly been awarded the accolade of Sunday Times Sportswoman Of The Year.

Hollie Doyle pipped rivals Lizzie Deignan (Cycling), Jessica Learmonth (Triathlon), Fallon Sherrock (Darts) and Georgia Taylor-Brown (Triathlon) to the prestigious title.

Here’s a reminder of Hollie’s incredible year…

Hollie Doyle in 2020

Hollie has smashed her previous British record for the most amount of winners in a calendar year by a woman. Her previous record stood at 116 winners and she currently stands on a huge 133 (as of 9:00am, 25th November) with just over five weeks of the year to go.

Hollie knocked off big career milestones at a hugely impressive pace throughout the season. She joined an elite group of jockeys to win at the famous Royal Ascot meeting before quickly moving onto winning her first Group 3 and Group 2 victories.

Alongside those achievements on the big days, Hollie has shone consistently at the smaller days. Her sparkling form in evidence most markedly with a spectacular five-timer at Windsor.

It was a stratospheric achievement, the first woman to ride five winners on one card in British racing history. Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy said, “It was incredible, to ride five winners in one day is really special. I take my hat off to her, as she has done this completely through hard work and determination.”

One magical day at Windsor was followed up two months later with another magical day at Ascot.

On one of the biggest stages in British racing, Hollie produced one her best performances. The diminutive rider won the opening race on QIPCO British Champions Day about 16/1 chance Trueshan, before then taking the next race aboard another 16/1 shot, Glen Shiel. In the process she became just the third British female rider to win a Group 1 race.

Passionate about the sport and her craft, Hollie is always looking ahead to the next race and the next challenge. But 2020 will without doubt be a year she will never forget.