Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand have each enjoyed exceptional years in the saddle, and the final hours of 2020 had one last magic moment in store for them as they announced their engagement on social media.
Marquand posted a picture of the couple at a beach location on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia with a silver ring emoji to match the one worn by Doyle.
Both jockeys passed a host of professional milestones, kicked off by Marquand's maiden group 1 success aboard the William Haggas-trained Addeybb in Australia. The former champion apprentice also bagged a first career classic on Galileo Chrome in the Pertemps St. Leger Stakes (G1) before Addeybb was the star of a Champions Day double.
Doyle also made two visits to the winner's enclosure on Champions Day, including her own maiden group 1 success with Glen Shiel in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes(G1).
The 24-year-old rounded off the year as one of racing's most celebrated figures; she was named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year and finished third in the public vote for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Doyle won three Lesters at the Professional Jockeys Association awards including Flat Jockey of the Year, and finished the season with a record 151 winners, while Marquand notched a personal best of his own of 147.