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Hollie Doyle is determined to achieve another major goal on her "bucket list" by riding Bradsell at this year's Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita.
The only female jockeys to have won at the meeting are Julie Krone and Rosie Napravnik, both from the US. In 2003 and 2012, respectively, they achieved this feat. Although Doyle was a favourite for the Filly & Mare Turf last year, she could only manage a fourth-placed finish on Nashwa, her best effort yet in her previous attempts to join that exclusive club.
“It’s something that is definitely on the bucket list,” said the 27YO. “I’ve had a few attempts so far without any luck but it’s something that would be a dream to achieve.
“Every time I go to America I bring a lot back and learn from it. You realise how good they have to be to win a Breeders’ Cup race. You can’t just turn up there, they have to be trained to the minute for it.”
Bradsell Aims For Breeders' Cup Glory
Bradsell, the dual Royal Ascot winner trained by Archie Watson, could hit the target at the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint this year. The 3YO triumphed in the Coventry Stakes last season and secured a victory over Highfield Princess in the King's Stand Stakes at Berkshire track in June. Despite finishing third in the Nunthorpe at York and an underwhelming performance in the Flying Five at the Curragh, the setbacks in Ireland were excusable.
“We went there looking for good ground but I think an hour before the race there was a deluge,” said Doyle. “It was very loose ground and although he travelled nicely on it, he just wheel spun when push came to shove. That’s all we put it down to.
“Bradsellis always a horse we’ve thought highly of. He won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and then sustained that injury afterwards. All credit to Archie for getting him back, because you never know how they’re going to come back from that type of thing, if not physically then mentally.
“He’s so tough and to bounce back in the way he has, stepping back down to five furlongs, has been incredible.
“I’m so lucky and blessed to be riding these horses. I had Nashwa last year, and The Platinum Queen; to be able to go this year with Bradsell, I’m just very lucky.”
Future History, a recent Flemington Group Three winner, has secured Doyle a spot in Australia's biggest race, the Melbourne Cup. Doyle is thrilled about the opportunity and eager to compete for glory. "I'm really happy and very excited about that. It was always going to be a hard task to get a ride in the Melbourne Cup, but I've managed to pick one up and it's pretty cool," she told Sky Sports Racing.
“It’ll be great to have a change and hopefully have a bit of success abroad.”