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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Oisin Doherty

Hollie Doyle's Irish dad's joy as she becomes first female to win European Classic

Hollie Doyle's father was delighted after his daughter's first Classic success following her thrilling victory in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly.

Hollie made history as she became the first female winner of the race when she rode Nashwa to victory on Sunday.

When dad Mark was asked for his reaction the day after the race, the County Tipperary man could barely contain his joy.

“Ah, words can’t, I can’t tell you, it’s just unbelievable,” Doyle told Sky Sports Racing.

Doyle praised the workrate of Hollie, saying "We all know how hard she works, she works terribly hard to get what she wants, well she’s got to, to compete.”

Understandably, Doyle was very emotional after his daughter's victory, even admitting that he shed a few tears "for about an hour".

Mark was keen to stress the help of joint-trainer's John and Thady Gosden.

He added: “Unbelievable, it’s amazing, you’ve got to take your hat off to her boss John Gosden, without him she wouldn't be where she is.”

Hollie Doyle celebrates after winning the Prix de Diane on Nashwa (AFP via Getty Images)

Hollie has already had an amazing career to this point. A frequent record-breaker,she became the first female jockey to ride a winner on Champions Day at Ascot when she steered Trueshan to victory in the Long Distance Cup in 2020, while she also finished fourth in the Flat Jockeys' championship that same year.

And when her father was asked how big this victory is, the significance was not lost on him.

He commented: “I don't really know to be honest, she's had a lot of big winners, but yesterday you could see it meant a lot to her, she doesn't usually punch the air or do any of them."

Hollie's career keeps going from strength, and after making history at the weekend, Hollie already has her next goal in mind.

“Derby next hopefully," said Mark.

"That’s the first thing that came into her mind."

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