Jockey Tom Marquand emulates girlfriend Hollie Doyle by claiming first Royal Ascot triumph

Jockey Tom Marquand emulated his partner Hollie Doyle by having his first ever winner at Royal Ascot as Who Dares Wins scored in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

Doyle opened her account on the Alan King-trained Scarlet Dragon in the Duke of Edinburgh on Friday – and Marquand only had to wait 24 hours to equal that feat with victory for the same trainer and owner, Henry Ponsonby.

It was a third winner of the week for King, but it was a close call with Who Dares Wins (evens favourite) getting home by a neck following a thrilling duel with his main market rival The Grand Visir in the final furlong.

Jockey Tom Marquand (above) claimed his first ever winner at Royal Ascot on Saturday

Marquand, who had a successful winter in Australia, said: ‘In all honesty, the week was beginning to feel tough. I was coming in with my best ever book of rides. I’ve been every year since I was an apprentice. I kept thinking this could be it. We didn’t have the rain for Addeybb earlier in the week, and Yazaman as well.

‘All have been running massive races, but they weren’t winners. It’s ultra special to get one on the board for Henry Ponsonby and Alan King as well.

‘This horse was one of the catalysts that got me on the big stage as an apprentice. He’s continued to do so for the past few years as well.

Who Dares Wins showcased his versatility to land the Queen Alexandra Stakes

‘Me and Hollie came down together today. Obviously we’ll enjoy it. It’s been a great week. It’s just a fantastic way to end Ascot.

‘A Royal winner is where we want success. Equally, Group One winners is what we do the job for. I’m extremely fortunate to have done both in a relatively short space of time.’

For King, better known as a jumps trainer, Who Dares Wins was a third winner of the week following the victories of Scarlet Dragon and Couer De Lion in Tuesday’s Ascot Stakes.