‘Deadly’ combination sets up history for Blackmore
JOCKEY HAILS PHENOMENAL HONEYSUCKLE AS SHE CLAIMS CHAMPION HURDLE GLORY
RACHEAL Blackmore flew up the hill on Honeysuckle to become the first female jockey to win the Unibet Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.
The Irish jockey became the first woman rider to win the Grade One feature at Prestbury Park as Henry De Bromhead’s star mare justified 11-10 favouritism to land a historic and decisive success.
Blackmore had the seven-yearold, who is now unbeaten in 11 career starts Under Rules, just off the pace set by a trio of front-runners including Silver Streak and Aspire Tower, with Goshen running markedly right throughout.
But Blackmore and Honeysuckle quickly went past the leaders with ease after the second-last flight and powered clear for a six-and-a-halflength success.
Willie Mullins’ Sharjah (11-1) – runner-up for a second year in a row – had no answer to the winner’s burst of speed on the run for home and was just ahead of last year’s winner Epatante (4-1), who stayed on to be a further three lengths back.
Honeysuckle is generally a 3-1 favourite with some bookmakers to repeat the trick next year. But for now connections were savouring a historic success.
Blackmore, landing a fourth Cheltenham Festival victory, said: “I’m speechless, to be honest – she’s just so incredible.
“I can’t believe we’ve won a
Champion Hurdle. Kenny Alexander (owner) and Peter Molony (racing manager) are both at home with their families. It’s a pity they can’t be here today.
“When Goshen headed off and then came back in I was just slightly worried, but she did everything I wanted her to do throughout the race and it’s just unbelievable.
“Henry produces her every day in that kind of form for me to just steer round. I’m so thankful to be a part of her (Honeysuckle) – it’s all about her.
“She’s getting better and improving. It’s phenomenal.”
De Bromhead, who was also winning the Champion Hurdle for the first time, hailed Blackmore’s victory.
He said: “It was unbelievable. Honeysuckle is a very laid-back, chilled out mare, she’s amazing.
“I’m so used to mine being ridden handy away and after two or three hurdles happy.
“After jumping the second-last she had to get after her and Goshen going to the right for a while was a bit worrying as well.
“But all in all it was probably one of the more relaxed races I’ve watched here.
“Coming down to the last you just wanted her to get over it, obviously.
“Rachael is a brilliant rider on any horse and Honeysuckle is just a brilliant horse.
“The combination is deadly – it’s the perfect storm.
“I’ll discuss and see what everyone would like to do, but I’d say there’s every chance she’ll head to Punchestown.”
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