Britain’s Holly Doyle finished a respectable joint second behind winner Mikel Barzalona at the Longines International Jockeys Championships in Happy Valley, Hong Kong.
The third stage win on the Soleil Fighter board gave Doyle 12 points and, despite failing to score in any of the other three races, it was enough to see him tied for best of the rest with New Zealand’s James MacDonald.
However, French rider Barzelona was ahead with 30 points after wins over Sergeant Pepper and Aurora Lady in stages one and four, as well as second place behind McDonald’s Mount Prince Alex in race two.
Ireland’s Colin Keane finished fourth with 10 points thanks to some tries, while William Buick finished sixth in the table.
Doyle became the first female jockey to win a stage of the prestigious Challenge event in 2020, when finishing third overall, and 12 months later was IJC runner-up.
The 28-year-old was a clear favorite among the fans at Happy Valley and her supporters were celebrating when she scored on the David Haynes-trained Soleil fighter.
“I think David gave me my first winner at the Longines IJC, so it’s nice to get him another winner,” Doyle said. “The horse was very stiff; he needs things to fall the right way, but he fell.”
Barcelona became the third French rider to lift the trophy, after Christophe Lemaire (2009) and Olivier Peslier (1998 and 2006).
Going into the final stage, four other jockeys had at least a chance of matching his tally at that point, but he ensured top spot in the table with a decisive win over the Pierre Ng-trained Aurora Lady, its Despite. Start wide from stall 12.
Barzalona said, “Pierre had full confidence in Aurora Lady’s chances, as they had disappointed last time out when things did not go well in Sha Tin.”
“He’s been unlucky a few times lately and seeing that we were lagging behind, he told me to try to get ahead, unless they get mad early. I trusted my horse and he Did not disappoint.”
