Hollie Doyle lands first two at Ascot and maiden Group 1 in Champions Sprint

Hollie's Doyle sensational season hit a new high on Saturday as she rode the first Group 1 winner of her career on Glen Shiel, to go with a Long Distance Cup success aboard Trueshan.

No female jockey had ever ridden a winner at Qipco British Champions Day, but Doyle quickly snapped that statistic with a dominant success on Trueshan, before a first top-level win on Glen Shiel.

Trained by Archie Watson, who was also enjoying a first Group 1, Glen Shiel flew out of the stalls to lead, and just held off the late thrust of veteran Brando.

Doyle said: "It's not about me, it's about Archie Watson. He's campaigned this horse unbelievably.

"It's a dream come true, especially on this horse. Everyone in the yard adores him. My heart sunk on the line when Tom Eaves [Brando] joined me, I honestly thought I hadn't won."

Glen Shiel, much like Doyle, has made huge strides this year. At the start of the season the six-year-old was running in handicaps on the all-weather, but he has blossomed through the course of 2020.

Last time out Glen Shiel had finished runner-up to Dream Of Dreams in the Sprint Cup at Haydock, and he proved that effort was no fluke with a dramatic nose success.

Having made the running, Glen Shiel looked vulnerable late on, with Oxted laying down a strong challenge. But the winner dug deep to score at 16-1, with Brando just failing, having been sent off at a massive 80-1. Third went to One Master, who also finished off well.

Doyle, who recently broke her own record for the most winners for a female rider in a calendar year, secured her first win of the afternoon in much easier circumstances, as Trueshan pulled clear by seven and a half lengths in the Long Distance Cup, returning at 11-1.

Hot favourite Stradivarius proved bitterly disappointing, with the 2018 winner quickly in trouble turning for home, and the six-year-old finished well down the field under Frankie Dettori.

On his own: Trueshan gallops to the line in splendid isolation at AscotCredit: Mark Cranham

Dettori reported Stradivarius failed to handle the testing conditions.

Doyle said: "That was incredible. This is a proper horse, though I didn't realise he would be up to Group 2 level today. Alan King is some trainer.

"I had to stay out a bit wide early but managed to slot in and got a nice position upsides Stradivarius.

"The further I was going, the better. He went through the ground like a tractor, he loved it."

Second went to Search For A Song at 7-1, with Fujaira Prince taking third at 11-1.

But the race belonged to Doyle and Trueshan. The pair came to tackle Fujaira Prince with two furlongs left, and once in the clear quickly put the race to bed.

Betfair handed Trueshan an opening quote of 10-1 for next year's Ascot Gold Cup.

Don't miss our Big Read on the brilliant Hollie Doyle, talking to those who know her best, on racingpost.com for members and in Sunday's Racing Post newspaper