'I'm blown away' - Hollie Doyle wins Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year

Record breaker, Group 1 victor and now an award winner. Hollie Doyle's unforgettable year became even more memorable after she was crowned the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year for 2020 on Wednesday evening.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed an unprecedented amount of success this season, which has included breaking her own record for most wins by a female jockey in a calendar year and a memorable double on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot last month, headlined by her first top-level success aboard Glen Shiel in the British Champions Sprint.

Watch Hollie Doyle win her first Group 1 on Glen Shiel

She also rode her first winner at Royal Ascot among other trailblazing achievements and became the first jockey to win the award in its history, joining sporting icons such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Dame Kelly Holmes and recent dual-winner Dina Asher-Smith in claiming the prestigious prize.

"I'm blown away to have won the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year award," Doyle said. "It's been an unusual year in so many ways and I feel very grateful to have been able to do what I love day in, day out.

"Seeing my name compared to the previous winners of the award like Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Dame Kelly Holmes is pretty crazy and humbling."

Hollie Doyle wins the Group 1 Champions Sprint on Glen ShielCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

The awards, which are now in their 33rd year, are voted for by some of Britain's finest female athletes and broadcasters.

BHA Chief executive Nick Rust shared his delight at the news and said: "This is wonderful news for Hollie and for British racing. We are all so proud of her and grateful for everything she is doing on behalf of the sport.

"Hollie is a phenomenal horsewoman, a true professional and a terrific role model. The frightening thing about her is that she is only just getting started.

"There truly is no ceiling as to what she could achieve. We will all look forward to following her ongoing rise, perhaps one day to become our first female champion jockey. There is simply no reason why not."

Doyle recorded more than a century of winners in a calendar year in 2019 with 116 and has eclipsed that in 2020, having already ridden 135.

Read more

Hollie Doyle lands first two at Ascot and maiden Group 1 in Champions Sprint

Hollie Doyle beats own record for most wins in calendar year by female jockey

'It feels great!' - Hollie Doyle celebrates first Group win with Dame Malliot

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