Hollie Doyle, who has set a European thoroughbred racing record with her performance, now has the chance to do so in the US at the Nov. 4-5 Breeders’ Cup in Keeneland.
The 26-year-old British racer has become one of the top racers across the Atlantic, although her focus is now on a few other continents. Besides riding this week in Lexington, she’s also gearing up for a two-month trip in Japan.
She has three mounts at Breeders’ Cup, riding a 2-year-old trump card Platinum Queen in the Breeders’ Cup junior sprint (G1T) on Friday followed by long runs on Saturday Flotus in Breeders ‘Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) and the 3-year-old star Nashwa in Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T). Platinum Queen and Nashwa are favored.
When combined with Nashwa to win the Prix de Diane Longines (GT) in June in Chantilly, she became the first female tennis player to win the French Classics and the British female equestrian. First European Classics Champion.
Doyle could make even more history this week. The only females to have won Breeders’ Cup races are Americans Julie Krone and Rosie Napravnik, meaning Doyle could become the first foreign female driver to win a Breeders’ Cup race.
Although Krone and Napravnik retired before she started riding, “I’ve heard a lot about them. They’re the big names here,” Doyle said from Keeneland airport Thursday morning.
WATCH: Doyle discusses horseback riding at Breeders’ Cup, her mountain this year at Keeneland
Doyle could also become the first female racer to win on grass. Krone and Napravnik’s scored their victories on the ground.
“It’s really a blessing to be here with such a chance to live. So I hope we can leave with the right result,” she said.
This is her second appearance in Breeders’ Cup. Two years ago at Keeneland, she guided Mighty Gurkha finished 11th in the Juvenile Field Sprint.
“We weren’t lucky that day, but it’s good because now I’m used to the track and the surroundings. It’s good to get there,” she said.
She familiarized herself with other areas of Keeneland on Thursday morning, galloping Nashwa for trainer John Gosden in the morning mist on the local training track, and then taking another horse to train. morning. Following Gosden’s instructions, Doyle placed Imad Alsagar’s Nashwa about 50 yards behind his steady galloping friend. Mishriff who prepared Thursday for the Longines Breeders ‘Cup Turf (G1T) with legendary driver Frankie Dettori, 14-time Breeders Cup winner’.
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“She reminds me a lot of Julie Krone, also has serious determination – something Julie has raised a number of levels,” said Gosden, smiling. “But look, she’s a talented racer, of course.”
Cotai Glory filly didn’t do was race around a turn, only competed in straight races in Europe.
Doyle didn’t care how student Richard Fahey would react to that new experience, even a breakthrough from the outside.
“I think she’ll be totally fine. She tends to run around a bit, but that tends to be under pressure,” she said. “I’m sure Mr. Fahey will teach her to prepare for it.”
Win or lose, Doyle, who comes third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2020, is likely to receive a warm reception from the Breeders’ Cup crowd, and is likely to make a New fan numbers, this time in America
“I really get a lot of support all over the world,” she said. “It’s really fun to watch. I’m really grateful for that.”
