Hollie Doyle excited by Hong Kong challenge after 'stop-start year' with Dylan Browne McMonagle also set for winter stint

Hollie Doyle is eager to embrace the opportunity to step outside of her comfort zone and ride in Hong Kong for a short stint after a "tough, stop-start" year.

"It's seemingly getting harder in British racing to make your mark if you're not in the top three or five," said Doyle on the day she was announced as one of four top-class riders destined for spells in Hong Kong this winter.

Doyle is closing in on a century of winners in Britain for the year but has struggled without a Group 1 horse in a campaign that has also seen her lose her role as retained rider to Classic-winning owner and breeder Imad Al Sagar last month.

The 28-year-old has been licensed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) to ride at Sha Tin and Happy Valley between November 5 and December 23, a period that incorporates the Longines Hong Kong International fixture.

Doyle, on 84 winners this year in Britain, said: "Numbers wise it's been fine and I'm hoping to get to 100 before I leave. It's been tough, it's been stop-start. I haven't had that big horse and there have been a few hurdles along the way – I'm definitely looking forward to next season.

"I like a challenge and I'm not delusional, I know how hard it is in Hong Kong, I just want to learn as much as I can. It's going to be tough and it's a bit daunting, but I've got plenty of time to prepare and keep up to date with the new season."

Hollie Doyle: "I haven't had that big horse and there have been a few hurdles along the way"Credit: Mike Egerton (Getty Images)

Doyle will be joining recent recruits Richard Kingscote and David Probert in the Hong Kong jockey ranks and has not ruled out the prospect of joining them on a longer-term licence one day.

She said: "It's hard wherever you go. People don't go to Hong Kong for an easier option. People think you go away for the winter and it's a working holiday, but I can guarantee I've needed a holiday when I've come back from Japan. 

"At this stage I want to keep my options open, but in the future I could stay for longer. This year I haven't had the quality of horses in Britain and it opens your eyes a little bit."

She added: "I've been lucky to have been a part of the International Jockeys' Championship in Hong Kong for a few years and I've also had a few days riding there, so I've had a taste of it, but I'm under no illusions that it'll be very different holding a short-term licence and trying to get on good rides. I'm excited to try something new and I think the change will do me good.

"It's something I've always wanted to do and I've been in Japan for the last three years, so I thought while things are going well and I'm wanted I should take the opportunities. I thought this year would be the right time to give it a go in Hong Kong."

As well as Doyle, Dylan Browne McMonagle, who leads Colin Keane by nine winners in his bid to be crowned Irish champion jockey for the first time, will start next year in Hong Kong on a licence from January 1 to March 29.

James McDonald has been granted a licence between November 12 and December 23, with Maxime Guyon set for a visit between November 30 and March 1.

Hong Kong's new jockeys

Hollie Doyle
Age: 28
How's this year gone? Closing on another British century on 84 winners, but down in quality
Group 1 winners: 9
Key relationships: Stable jockey to Archie Watson
2024-25 Hong Kong season: 2 wins from 24 rides
Hong Kong history: Multiple participant in the International Jockeys' Championship, finishing joint-second in 2024

Dylan Browne McMonagle
Age: 22
How's this year gone? On the verge of becoming Irish champion jockey on 77 winners, recent Group 1 win adds momentum
Group 1 winners: 5
2024-25 Hong Kong season: None
Hong Kong history: None

James McDonald
Age: 33
How's this year gone? One of the best riders in the world is at the top of his game with Group 1 wins on Joliestar and Via Sistina since the close of the last Hong Kong season, also scored on Crimson Advocate at Royal Ascot
Group 1 winners: 120
Key relationships: Regular rider of Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior, also partnered Voyage Bubble and Lucky Sweynesse
2024-25 Hong Kong season: 26 wins from 121 rides
Hong Kong history: 13 Group 1 wins

Maxime Guyon
Age: 36
How's this year gone? Marching on relentlessly with 172 winners in France, level with Cristian Demuro in bid for a fifth Cravache d'Or
Group 1 winners: 30
Key relationships: Retained rider for Alain and Gerard Wertheimer
2024-25 Hong Kong season: None
Hong Kong history: Won Hong Kong Classic Cup (Ambitious Dragon), Hong Kong Derby (Ambitious Dragon), Hong Kong Vase (Flintshire, Junko), 15 wins from 175 rides in 2010-11 season

Read these next:

Charlie Fellowes considering Hong Kong for Golden Eagle-bound stable star 

David Probert: ‘Hong Kong is a step in the right direction. It has more to offer me with my style of riding’

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