Doyle eyes next landmark successPosted on Friday 7th August 2020 @ 16.14

Hollie Doyle says she's excited about the potential of a first Group win in her new role as first jockey to Imad Al Sagar this weekend.

The 23-year-old was already enjoying a season to remember having been in the plate for 81 winners this term, including a first Royal Ascot triumph before she got the call from Al Sagar, co-owner of Blue Diamond Stud.

He and partner Saleh Al Homaizi shot to prominence when Authorized won the Derby in 2007 and the pair currently have horses under the stewardship of some of flat racing's top trainers.

Doyle was named first jockey to Al Sagar last week and took little time to open her account when partnering Faisal to victory at Lingfield on Tuesday in only her second ride.

Next up is a run out on Extra Elusive, trained by Roger Charlton, in the Group 3 BetVictor Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock on Saturday and Doyle is looking forward to going for her first Group success in her new role.

"The job came out of the blue when I was approached by Tony Nerses [Al Sagar's racing manager]," Doyle told the Telegraph. "I spoke about it to Archie Watson, who gives me most of my rides, and hopefully this won't change our relationship.

"I'd never ridden for the owner before but I was delighted to get the opportunity. Imad has horses with the likes of John Gosden, Roger Charlton, Roger Varian and Amy Murphy. They are all by top sires so it's exciting."

Article Posted on Friday 7th August 2020 @ 16.14