Cheltenham News

Cheltenham history for Blackmore

Rachael Blackmore has become the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle after guiding Honeysuckle to victory at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.

Honeysuckle went into Tuesday’s feature race as the heavy favourite and she did not disappoint, with Blackmore steering her into the lead ahead of the final flight before she eventually went on to win by six-and-a-half lengths for trainer Henry de Bromhead.

The victory has extended the unbeaten seven-year-old’s winning record to 11, as she finished ahead of last year’s runner-up Sharjah, who had to be content with second place again, while 2020 winner Epatante came in third.

All the talk after the race was regarding the achievements of Blackmore, who has now become the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle, with her success coming just three months after Bryony Frost achieved a similar feat when steering Frodon to victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

“Absolutely incredible. I am speechless to be honest. I really am,” the 31-year-old told reporters. “I can’t believe we just won the Champion Hurdle. Incredible. Unbelievable for everyone in the yard, they all work so hard.

“It doesn’t matter what you are. We are jockeys. It is just a privilege to be here.”

There could be more history to come for Blackmore, as she has a number of high-profile rides ahead this week, including when she saddles A Plus Tard in Friday‘s Cheltenham Gold Cup.