Champion Jockey Rachael Blackmore and superstar mare Honeysuckle run in the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle this Sunday, December 4th in Fairyhouse.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle will be bidding for an unprecedented fourth win in the Grade One race at Fairyhouse. The legendary mare joined Limestone Lad, Solerina and Apple's Jade as a three-time winner of the race last year and is set to bid for a fourth on her eagerly-anticipated seasonal return at the weekend on what could be a sensational and historical day.
The eight-year-old mare is ridden by Tipperary jockey Rachael Blackmore and is unbeaten in 16 racecourse starts with seven of those wins having occurred at Fairyhouse. Blackmore will be looking for her 17th victory aboard her partner-in-success.
16 races | 16 wins | 12 Grade 1s.
Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle continue to make history. pic.twitter.com/nhLRRuTYhY— bet365 (@bet365) April 29, 2022
Rachael Blackmore’s mount was last seen in action claiming victory at Punchestown in April and adding a second Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham to her outstanding CV.
The 2021 Her Sport Athlete of the Year has had incredible success and was crowned the leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival last year after riding six horses to victory while also making history by becoming the first female to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard in March of this year.
Blackmore had previously made history by becoming the first woman to ride the winner of the Randox Grand National, as she rode Minella Times to victory at Aintree in 2021.
The champion duo's biggest rivals are said to come from Willie Mullins yard in Klassical Dream, Echoes In Rain and Saldier. Gordon Elliott has three entries in Sunday's race, including Sire Du Berlais, who beat Flooring Porter in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree’s Grand National meeting in April and Ashdale Bob is set to represent trainer Jessica Harrington. Gavin Cromwell's Darver Star got as close to Honeysuckle as any other when going down by only half-a-length in the 2020 Irish Champion Hurdle and on current form could be a danger to Blackmore and Honeysuckle's bid for victory.
As arguably one of the best horses of all time, Honeysuckle became the first mare to win the Champion Hurdle twice and although already in the history books, the mare may now extend it's winning streak from 16 to 17 at the hands of the supremely talented Rachael Blackmore this weekend.
The race will have 9 runners in the 2 mile 3 furlong race and begins at 2.30pm Sunday. All the action in Fairyhouse will be broadcast live on RTÉOne from 1.10pm.
THE HISTORY MAKERS!
Rachael Blackmore!
Honeysuckle!
Win a second Champion Hurdle!#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/C0WPpQmlbP— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 15, 2022
