Hollie Doyle has recently spoken out for the first time since losing her position as the top jockey for owner-breeder Imad Al Sagar. Doyle, the most successful female jockey in Britain with over 1,000 wins, made history by winning the French Oaks, Prix de Diane, aboard Nashwa in 2022. Nashwa, bred and owned by Al Sagar, played a significant role in Doyle’s career by securing three Group 1 victories, including the Nassau and Falmouth Stakes.
Having been appointed Al Sagar’s first retained jockey in 2020, Doyle rode 38 winners during her tenure. In her latest race at Newbury, she finished a close second on Rouane in a two-year-old fillies’ novice race. Meanwhile, Champion jockey Oisin Murphy is set to ride Gamrai at Windsor, following a change in strategy that will see him as the first jockey for Qatar Racing when not otherwise engaged.
Al Sagar’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, revealed that the decision for the change in jockeys was initiated by Al Sagar seeking a new approach. Doyle, in a blog post for At The Races, expressed her disappointment over losing her retainer with Al Sagar. She acknowledged the successful partnership they had over five years, which included multiple stakes wins and prestigious victories. Doyle thanked Al Sagar for the opportunities afforded to her and wished him and the team well for the future.
