Hollie Doyle was hailed as 'top class' by her racing colleagues and legends of the sport as the record-breaking jockey finished an honourable third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Despite enjoying unprecedented levels of success during the year, Doyle was unable to land one of sport's most prestigious prizes against some of Britain's greatest sportspeople, which was won by Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton for the second time with Liverpool Football Club captain Jordan Henderson in second place.
Sir Anthony McCoy remains the only jockey to have won Sports Personality of the Year since it was launched in 1954, but Doyle matched the feat of the 20-time champion jump jockey and Frankie Dettori in finishing in the top three, which McCoy did in 2013 and 2002 while Dettori was honoured in that spot following his 'Magnificent Seven' in 1996.
The 24-year-old may have tasted defeat, but her trailblazing records and achievements from this year were recognised by her racing colleagues and the legendary McCoy, who believes they will be a benchmark to Doyle becoming champion jockey in the future.
"She's a worker, she's a grafter, she puts in the hard hours which it is all about to try and get to the top. Her stats are phenomenal," he said. "She's top class, she's got it all. Having watched Hollie Doyle over the last year, there is a real chance she will be champion jockey one day."
Her other racing colleagues also praised Doyle's fantastic achievements in a fitting tribute that was broadcast at the ceremony, which was staged in the BBC studios in Salford in front of a virtual crowd due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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