HOLLIE DOYLE AIMING TO GRAB A PIECE OF IJC HISTORY

By Tim Clayton | Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Hollie Doyle: Can She Become the First Female Rider to Win the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship?

Hollie Doyle has settled into Hong Kong with purpose since beginning her short-term riding contract in late November — her first stint in the city’s competitive racing environment. She arrived knowing full well that Hong Kong offers with no soft landings for visiting jockeys … that opportunities must be earned and reputations count for little until winners are on the board.

Doyle embraces that challenge saying, “It won’t be easy-going,” she says. “But easy doesn’t improve you.”

So far, she has risen to the task. Doyle has already notched four wins — two at Sha Tin and two at Happy Valley — a promising return ahead of her tilt at the 2025 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Challenge (IJC).

Speaking at Tuesday night’s IJC media conference at The Cube in Central, Doyle acknowledged the importance of momentum at Happy Valley.

“I’ve had plenty of luck around Happy Valley and that’s the key to it really — a good draw, a bit of luck. Things have gone pretty smoothly so far, so I’m happy.”

But she is under no illusions about the task ahead. The IJC pits her against eleven world-class riders, and she knows how fine the margins are.

“I finished second in 2021 and 2024, so a second and third a few times — it would be nice to go one better this time.”

Doyle’s focus is squarely on winning the LONGINES IJC, a feat that would place her name alongside some of the sport’s elite … and also give her a place in history as he first female rider to win this prestigious event.

With strong early form, confidence, and experience on the challenging Happy Valley track, she arrives at this year’s Championship as a genuine contender.

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