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Prix de Diane: Hollie Doyle wins first Classic as Nashwa makes all at Chantilly to claim French Oaks crown

Nashwa (7/4 favourite) wins the Group One Prix de Diane, known as the French Oaks, at Chantilly on Sunday; Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle rides first Classic winner on John and Thady Gosden's star filly

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Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle says becoming the first British female to ride a Classic winner is a 'huge privilege' after Nashwa's success in the French Oaks at Chantilly on Sunday.

Hollie Doyle claimed the first Classic victory of her career as the John and Thady Gosden-trained Nashwa won the Prix de Diane at Chantilly on Sunday.

Nashwa, who was third in the Oaks at Epsom earlier this month, was sent off 7/4 favourite for the Group One contest, known as the French Oaks.

A first start was always going to be key for Doyle, with Nashwa needing to overcome a potentially unfavourable draw in stall two, but the pair kicked away quickly and stayed at the front of the field throughout, as Agave came to challenge on her inside.

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But Doyle and her mount were brave and battled on, holding off the late run of 50/1 shot La Parisienne on the outside.

Doyle is the first British female jockey to win a Classic and the victory is another landmark success for the Sky Sports Racing ambassador, who holds the record for victories in a single season by a female rider in the UK.

Nashwa (green) chases home Oaks front two Tuesday and Emily Upjohn at Epsom
Image: Nashwa (green) chases home Oaks front two Tuesday and Emily Upjohn at Epsom

Doyle told Sky Sports Racing: "I'm very lucky! It's a huge privilege, absolutely awesome.

"It was an unbelievable performance from Nashwa and I've got a lot of people to thank: Imad Alsagar, John Gosden and everyone at Clarehaven who put so much work into the filly.

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"It was a very muddling race, no one was being decisive over whether to go on or not.

"My filly was very relaxed and happy where she was so just went from there and resorted to plan F, you could call it.

"She was very brave and dug deep when it mattered. I thought I was quite vulnerable at one stage."

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Trainer John Gosden paid tribute to Hollie Doyle's incredible hard work after the Sky Sports Racing ambassador celebrated her first Classic success on French Oaks winner Nashwa on Sunday.

Winning trainer John Gosden was full of praise for Doyle, telling Sky Sports Racing: "She's a brilliant young rider. Full marks to Nashwa's owner-breeder Imad Alsagar, who asked me two years ago who he should pick, and I and other people said Hollie Doyle.

"She's a wonderful professional, great personality, very meticulous and incredibly hard-working.

Hollie Doyle celebrates Nashwa's victory in the Group One Prix de Diane at Chantilly
Image: Doyle celebrates Nashwa's victory in the Group One Prix de Diane at Chantilly

"The plan had been to jump well and sit handy but as it was, with the pace they went, Hollie did not want to drop to the rail because you can get boxed in."

On future plans for Nashwa, Gosden said: "Having just run her in two Oaks in 16 days a good old freshen up is what she needs. We're lucky that we have two or three top class fillies this year and the clever thing would be to keep them apart."

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