More joy for Doyle and Marquand as pair end record-breaking year in style

Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand have each enjoyed exceptional years in the saddle and the final hours of 2020 had one last magic moment in store for them as they announced their engagement on social media.

Marquand posted a picture of the couple at a beach location on the Caribbean island of St Lucia with a silver ring emoji to match the one being worn by Doyle.

Both jockeys passed a host of professional milestones, kicked off by Marquand's maiden Group 1 successes aboard the William Haggas-trained Addeybb in Australia at the start of the year.

The former champion apprentice also bagged a first career Classic on Galileo Chrome in the St Leger before Addeybb was the star of a Champions Day double.

The Ascot meeting might well rival the day they got engaged in the pair's affections, as Doyle also made two visits to the winner's enclosure, including her own maiden Group 1 success with Glen Shiel in the Champion Sprint.

The 24-year-old rounded off the year as one of racing's most celebrated figures, earning recognition beyond the weighing room when being named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year and finishing third in the public vote for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Doyle won three Lesters at the Professional Jockeys Association awards including Flat Jockey of the Year, and finished the year with a record 151 winners, while Marquand notched a personal best of his own on 147.

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