RACING power couple Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle have announced their engagement.
Marquand, 22, posted a photo on social media of himself and a bikini-clad Doyle wearing what looked like an engagement ring on a beach with the caption: “So err… thanks 2020 I guess?!”
The happy couple were all smiles as fans wished them the best for married life.
2020 was a breakthrough year for Doyle and Marquand.
Hollie, 24, finished third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, won her first Group 1 race, announced herself on the international stage and rode an 899-1 five-timer at Windsor.
Tom’s year was not too shabby either as he landed his first Group 1 race too and played a huge part in the couple’s unforgettable victories on British Champions Day at Ascot.
The couple are childhood sweethearts and have been together since they met as kids on the pony-riding circuit.
They compete against each other day in, day out – before going home to argue over who does the dishes.
Marquand and Doyle live together in Hungerford, Berkshire, from where they travel all over the world to compete in the world’s biggest races.
The pair rarely get much time to themselves, even though they will often be at the same meet competing against each other.
The loved-up couple have been together since they were teenagers on the pony-riding circuit
Speaking of what it is like trying to beat each other in the heat of competition, Marquand once said: “You just go out and ride and try not to flatten each other, that’s all, or you won’t be getting dinner that night.”
Of course, their crazy schedules mean they rarely get to enjoy much time together.
If they happen to be racing at the same course then time is spent with trainers, owners, doing media obligations or preparing in the weighing room.
Often, it is only on days off that they collapse onto the sofa for some quality time together.
Doyle told The Times: “We wouldn’t really come home and see each other to talk to.
“On Sundays we try to do something but we’re usually too knackered.”
Still, that has not dampened their competitive spirit.
Speaking of her man, Doyle told SunSport: “He’s a jammy bugger, isn’t he! He’s the only person I know who can go away for a few months to Australia and then come back and completely take off from where he was, if not do even better.
“He’s getting these big opportunities now and that’s what he deserves. He’s well capable and lots of the big trainers know that now.”
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