HOLLIE IS CREAM OF THE CROP AT CHANTILLY

HOLLIE DOYLE was the toast of Chantilly yesterday as she became the first female rider to win a Classic when Nashwa landed a historic renewal of the Prix de Diane. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the 7-4 favourite was required to dig deep to hold off the fast finishing La Parisienne and veteran rider Gerald Mosse by a narrow margin at the line. Doyle, 25, was congratulated immediately after the race by husband Tom Marquand who finished unplaced aboard Zellie. Nashwa was improving on her running in the English Oaks at Epsom when a creditable third and the victory was achieved despite the race not going to plan. ‘She (Nashwa) is very good as things didn’t really turn out how I wanted them too today,’ said Doyle. ‘However, she has plenty of class and she responds well under pressure and was very brave. She’s a star. ‘I’m so lucky as I don’t know if I would ever have had a chance like this if Imad Alsagar (owner and breeder) hadn’t appointed me as his first jockey. ‘I am very privileged to be in the position that I am in today, it’s absolutely awesome.’ Understandably, John Gosden was effusive in his praise of Doyle and the ride. The trainer said: ‘She’s a brilliant young rider and full marks to the owner/breeder Imad Alsagar who asked me two years ago who you would pick (as a retained rider). He gave me a list of three jockeys and I and other people said, “Hollie Doyle”. ‘She is a wonderful professional, great personality, meticulous and incredibly hard working.’ Gosden wouldn’t be drawn on the winner’s next target: ‘Having run Nashwa in two Oaks in 16 days, a good old freshen-up is what she now needs.’