Hollie Doyle

Hollie Doyle Biography

Hollie Doyle is a distinguished British flat racing jockey renowned for setting records and trailblazing as one of the leading female jockeys in the sport. Born in 1996 in Herefordshire, England, she rose to prominence by breaking the record for the most winners ridden by a female jockey in a British flat racing season, achieving 116 wins in 2019. Hollie has since continued to excel on the racecourses of the UK and internationally, making history as the first female jockey to win a French Classic and a European Group 1 Classic. Her accomplishments and status have made her a celebrated figure in horse racing worldwide.

Childhood

Hollie Doyle was born on October 11, 1996, in Herefordshire, a county known for its rich rural and equestrian culture. She grew up in a family deeply immersed in horse racing; her father, Mark Doyle, is a former jockey originally from Clonmel, and her mother, Caroline, also rode in Arabian horse races. Surrounded by horses from an early age, Hollie developed a love for riding, participating actively in the Radnorshire & West Herefordshire Pony Club. She began racing ponies competitively at the age of nine, setting the foundation for her future professional career in racing.

Education

Hollie’s formal education was closely tied to her passion for horse racing. After completing her GCSE exams in 2013, she joined the training yard of David Evans in Wales to advance her riding skills as an amateur jockey. She also completed training at the British Racing School, which included a six-week experience riding trackwork in Santa Anita Park, California. In 2014, Hollie pursued an apprenticeship with champion trainer Richard Hannon, where her skills were honed under expert tutelage. This combination of formal education and hands-on apprenticeship prepared her fully for the demands of professional racing.

Career

Hollie Doyle's professional career began in earnest in 2013 with a winning debut at Salisbury aboard The Mongoose. After serving her apprenticeship with Richard Hannon, she graduated to becoming a fully-fledged professional jockey in 2017. Her breakthrough came in 2019 when she set the British record for most wins in a season by a female jockey with 116 victories. She steadily accumulated prestigious victories, including her first Group 1 win in 2020 on Glen Shiel at Ascot’s Champions Day and her historic victory in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) in 2022 aboard Nashwa, making her the first female jockey to win a French Classic. She also made history with multiple Royal Ascot wins and became the first female jockey to ride a winner at every UK flat racecourse. She rides internationally, including in Japan, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia. Hollie is known for her tenacity, skill, and breaking gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sport.

Family Life

Hollie Doyle comes from an equestrian family and continues this legacy through her personal life. She is married to fellow jockey Tom Marquand, whom she met at age 14. The couple wed in March 2022 in Ivington, Herefordshire. Their relationship is celebrated in the racing community as a partnership between two of Britain's top jockeys. There are no public records of children as of now, with Hollie focusing primarily on her thriving career in racing.

Achievements

Hollie Doyle’s list of achievements is remarkable and trailblazing. She holds the British record for most winners ridden by a female jockey in a single season, with 116 wins in 2019. She made history by being the first female jockey to win a Group 1 European Classic race, the Prix de Diane, in 2022. She has been named The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year and earned third place in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2020. Additionally, she has won multiple Lester Awards, including Lady Jockey of the Year and Flat Jockey of the Year. In 2025, she surpassed Hayley Turner’s record to become Britain’s winningmost female jockey. Her achievements extend across royal meets, such as Royal Ascot, and globally in countries like Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Hong Kong, solidifying her historic status in racing.

Controversies

Hollie Doyle’s career has been largely free from major controversies. As a professional athlete in a competitive sport, she has maintained a reputation for dedication, professionalism, and breaking down barriers for women in racing. There have been no publicly documented scandals or disputes associated with her career or personal life, highlighting her focus on sporting excellence and positive representation in horse racing.

Hollie Doyle Summary

Hollie Doyle stands as one of the most inspiring and accomplished jockeys in contemporary British flat racing. Born into a horse-racing family, she built her career from pony racing roots through dedicated education and apprenticeship. She shattered records as a female jockey, earning prestigious titles and achieving historic wins on the international stage. Her career is marked not only by her skill and strong competitive spirit but also by her role as a trailblazer for women in horse racing. Married to fellow jockey Tom Marquand, she continues to ride at the highest levels, inspiring a new generation of female riders to follow in her footsteps.