Hollie’s determination to prove doubters wrong reaps rewards
THE only woman on the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award has spoken of the mental strain of facing sexism which could have finished her career before it had started.
Jockey Hollie Doyle, 24, was told she “wasn’t good enough” to reach the top in the male-dominated sport of horse racing.
But she proved her critics wrong with her first winner on the flat at Royal Ascot in June followed by her first Group One win, also at the Berkshire track, last month.
As part of flat racing’s power couple with her partner Tom Marquand, 22, another rising star jockey, she is hoping to inspire young girls to pursue their dreams after her breakthrough year.
Doyle said: “I was told I wasn’t good enough by numerous people and at the time I wasn’t good enough.
“But you can take the criticism two ways and for me it motivated and inspired me to work harder and prove them wrong.
“I wasn’t getting races and rides early on. You need to get regular rides to feel comfortable.
“I was too worried how I looked at first but then you get more confident.”
She added: “At the time it wasn’t good for me mentally but it did make me strong enough to push through the tough times to want to be better. I get on really well with everyone now but at the beginning when I was an apprentice I did get very intimidated by everyone.
“I don’t know if that was because I was a girl or just because I was an apprentice. But I think I have proved myself now.”
The jockey, who met Marquand while pony racing as a teenager, is up against F1 world champion driver Lewis Hamilton, snooker ace Ronnie O’sullivan, cricketer Stuart
Broad, heavyweight boxer Tyson
Fury and
Liverpool footballer Jordan Henderson for the prestigious SPOTY award.
Victory tonight would see her follow in the footsteps of jump jockey AP Mccoy, who won in 2010, and three-day eventer Zara Tindall, who won in 2006.
She said: “I don’t believe I’m anywhere near their level or calibre and I don’t think I ever will be, so to be nominated amongst people like that is unbelievable.
“I am very proud to be the only woman. I compete with men all the time so it doesn’t phase me but I know how much of a big deal it is.”
Watch the awards ceremony on BBC One from 8pm
‘I think I have proved myself’