Honeysuckle became the first Irish point-to-point graduate to claim the Unibet Champion Hurdle since the success of Faugheen in 2015 and in doing so Rachael Blackmore made history to become the first female jockey to win the Grade 1 championship race.
Having started her career by winning a Dromahane maiden for Jerry Cosgrave, the daughter of Sulamani entered the race with an unbeaten record including two Irish Champion Hurdles to her name, became just the sixth mare to win the most prestigious prize over hurdles with her latest success.
The seven-year-old never looked likely to be beaten and came home the comfortable six and a half length winner over Sharjah, who was runner-up for the second year in succession.
Blackmore said: “I am speechless, to be honest. She is just so incredible. I just can’t believe we’ve won a Champion Hurdle. Kenny Alexander, Peter Molony - they’re both at home with their families watching; it’s a pity they can’t be here today, but I tell you, when I was crossing the line I didn’t care.
“Honeysuckle was just incredible. She’s done everything I’ve wanted her to do throughout the race. When Goshen headed off and came back in, I was just slightly worried there, but she’s done everything I wanted her to do. I really just can’t believe it.
“Henry produces her every day in that kind of form for me to steer around, and it’s unbelievable. This is such a special race and I am just so thankful to be a part of her - it’s all about her. She’s unbeaten, and she’s improving. Her last run was her career best until today; she’s getting better all the time. It’s just phenomenal.
“To me, this was never even a dream. It was so far from what I ever thought could happen in my life - to be in Cheltenham, riding a winner of a Champion Hurdle. It’s just so far removed from anything I ever thought could be possible, so maybe there’s a lesson in that for everyone out there.
“You can’t do it without getting on the right horses, and I’ve been extremely lucky in that sense, getting linked up with a yard like Henry de Bromhead’s. You need to be riding those horses and that’s a massive part of any jockey’s career, being in the right place at the right time and getting linked up with the right yard.”
Blackmore also spoke of how going to visit the three-time Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq on a school trip had inspired her as a youngster.
She said: “We went to see Istabraq on a school tour - I’m from Tipperary so it was local - I never envisaged when we went to see him back then that I’d be riding the winner of a Champion Hurdle. When every person becomes a jockey they dream about riding at Cheltenham and all these things, but riding a winner like this is unbelievable.
“There’s no deal about female jockeys anymore, I don’t think. If you want to be a jockey, you can be a jockey - drive on, you know. To young people out there, male or female, if you want to go and do something, do it, because for me standing here right now, it shows that literally anything can happen.
“The people are what make Cheltenham, Cheltenham. Fair play to everyone here, they gave a cheer when we came back in, and it’s still very special, but it’s definitely not the normal Cheltenham of old. Hopefully we will see the thousands back here next year.”
Trainer Henry de Bromhead said: “It is stuff you dream of - I never thought this would happen. It’s amazing, like I say, you dream about it.
“She’s not actually tiny, she’s quite deceptive. She’d be 16.1hh, so plenty big enough. Look, she’s an amazing mare. She’s incredible and what a partnership she and Rachael have.
“Rachael was amazing, I thought she was so cool throughout the race. I was saying I had to bite my tongue before they went out as I was so worried I would say something stupid to her and mess her up, but that was amazing.”
The trainer went on to say: “It’s amazing. Rachael is as good as any of them - male, female, she is as good as any of the guys. I’m ecstatic with the result but I’m delighted for them (Rachael and Honeysuckle). She never ceases to amaze me. I’m not saying I would have predicted that but she is an incredible mare.
“She has just gone into a different zone the last year, she really has. In the situation we are in we are lucky to be here. Fair play to the BHA, IHRB, Cheltenham and everybody to set up brilliant protocols and allow us to continue the sport.
“She came in a very laid back chilled out mare and now if you go in it takes two to brush her, two to tack her. She is just her. You don’t mind any of it when they have that ability. She is an amazing lady (Honeysuckle).
“At the start I’m so use to mine being handy away but after we jumped two or three Rachael looked really happy. Maybe after jumping the second last she had to go after her but then suddenly she was swinging. I was kind of happy but with Goshen going off 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.
“There is that as well (getting over the last) as you just want them to get over. They are such a great team the pair of them. They have got a great relationship but Rachael is a brilliant rider on any horse and Honeysuckle is just deadly. It’s a perfect storm. I’m not sure if she will go to Punchestown we will see. We will discuss it with Kenny (Alexander, owner) but there is every chance.”
