Fifteen wins from fifteen starts.
If Honeysuckle was to retire now, the Henry de Bromhead-trained mare’s name would forever be etched in the history books.
Doubters may doubt, but this year’s renewal of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham has elevated Blackmore and Honeysuckle into rare air. When they won the same race last year, it was without fans, without that famed Cheltenham roar. On Wednesday, it was all very different.
“It was incredible to be honest”, Blackmore has told Racing TV.
“Walking down that chute, I’ve never felt anything like it. There wasn’t a moment’s silence. The people here, it’s just an amazing crowd, amazing atmosphere. It’s easy to say that when you’re winning, but walking back in here to those cheers is just so special.”
“She always finds a way”, says Blackmore on Honeysuckle’s attraction to winning.
“I was wider than I liked everywhere, wasn’t maybe as happy half way around but I just slotted in behind and we got our gap then. It was fantastic, and I’m so happy Kenny Alexander is here as well, he’s a really good man and a class owner.”
“She’s just incredible. Jockeys dream of getting on good horses but she takes that to a whole new level. She’s special, she’s once in a lifetime and I’m so lucky to be riding her.”
“Part of me was thinking I should be more nervous before the race but I do have a lot of confidence in her. It would be weird if I didn’t because she’s never let me down but she’s just incredible.”
