Jockey Doyle Rides 1,000th British Winner

Hollie Doyle Reaches an Incredible Career Milestone

Hollie Doyle has once again cemented her place in horse racing history by securing her 1,000th career win in Britain. At just 28 years old, Doyle continues to break barriers and push the limits of what’s possible in the sport. With this latest achievement, she becomes only the second female jockey to reach this milestone, following in the footsteps of Hayley Turner.

The landmark victory came aboard Handle With Care, trained by Marco Botti, at Lingfield on Monday. After crossing the finish line, Doyle expressed her excitement and gratitude for the journey so far.

“I’m delighted to have got that done, it’s another milestone and hopefully there’s another 1,000 under the bonnet somewhere,” said Doyle.

Breaking Records and Making History

Doyle has been shattering records for years. In 2019, she set the record for the most wins in a calendar year by a female jockey, finishing with an impressive 116 victories. That was just the beginning. By September 2023, she had already reached 1,000 career wins worldwide.

Her breakthrough year came in 2020, when she claimed her first Royal Ascot victory aboard Scarlet Dragon and went on to secure five wins in a single meeting at Windsor. Those performances didn’t go unnoticed, as she was named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year and finished third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award that same year.

Doyle continued to build on her success, becoming the first woman to ride a winner on British Champions Day at Ascot. In 2022, she made history once again by becoming the first female jockey to win a Classic race, triumphing in the French Oaks aboard Nashwa.

“It’s crazy, I struggle to believe some of the things I’ve achieved and I’m pretty sure a lot of other people do as well,” Doyle told Sky Sports Racing.

Despite the impressive accolades, Doyle remains focused on the future. “It’s amazing, I just need to keep going,” she added, showing the determination that has propelled her career forward.

Callan Gets Suspended Ban Over Social Media Posts

Neil Callan outside the jockeys’ weighing room

Irish Jockey Neil Callan Faces Eight-Month Ban

While Hollie Doyle was celebrating a milestone, another jockey found himself in the headlines for different reasons. Irish rider Neil Callan has been hit with an eight-month ban due to inappropriate comments made on social media. However, the suspension has been deferred for two years, meaning Callan can continue to ride unless further breaches occur.

Callan was found guilty of three breaches of racing rules, with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announcing the penalties following a closed plea agreement.

The incidents in question involved posts on X (formerly Twitter) in December 2023. According to disciplinary panel chair Tim Grey, one of Callan’s posts directed at raceday steward Anthony McGlone was “abusive, insulting and did not treat him with respect.” Another post was deemed “not a responsible use of social media and did not show adequate respect to the officials at the BHA.”

A Pattern of Misconduct on Social Media

The third charge against Callan stemmed from a pattern of inappropriate social media behavior between August 2023 and January 2024. The panel found that Callan had posted, reposted, and commented in a manner that was “offensive, abusive, and inappropriate,” damaging the reputation of British horse racing.

While the eight-month ban is a significant penalty, the fact that it has been suspended for two years suggests the BHA is giving Callan an opportunity to correct his behavior. Any further infractions could see the ban enforced immediately.

Nicola Currie Faces Whip Ban

Scottish Jockey Suspended for 39 Days

Scottish jockey Nicola Currie has also faced disciplinary action, receiving a 39-day suspension for multiple whip rule violations. Nine days of the ban have been deferred for either six months or 200 rides—whichever comes first.

Currie’s infractions occurred over a period of six months, during which she had just 64 rides. Two of her violations were due to exceeding the permitted number of strikes with the whip.

Crackdown on Whip Use in Racing

The penalties handed to Currie reflect the sport’s ongoing efforts to enforce stricter whip regulations. In recent years, the BHA has introduced tougher rules to protect horses and maintain the integrity of the sport.

While Currie’s suspension is significant, it highlights the growing importance of adhering to racing’s evolving guidelines. With increasing scrutiny on jockey behavior—both on and off the track—the sport continues to adapt to modern expectations.

Final Thoughts

While the past week has brought contrasting fortunes for different riders, one thing remains clear: horse racing is as dynamic as ever. Hollie Doyle’s historic achievement is a testament to hard work, resilience, and talent, while the disciplinary actions against Callan and Currie serve as reminders of the responsibilities that come with being in the spotlight.

For Doyle, the goal is clear: keep winning. With 1,000 British victories under her belt, the next target is doubling that tally—and if her past performances are anything to go by, it’s only a matter of time before she reaches that milestone too.

Hollie Doyle rides 1,000th British winner aboard Handle With Care at Lingfield Park