Tag Archive for: Rachael Blackmore

Blackmore hails retiring National hero Minella Times

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Rachael Blackmore acknowledged her life-changing Grand National success on Minella Times after the 2021 winner was retired through injury.

Trained Henry de Bromhead was hoping to have another crack at the great race via the cross-country chase at Cheltenham.

However, a shoulder problem has emerged which has forced connections to call time on his career.

He will be forever remembered as the horse who enabled Blackmore to become the first woman to ride the winner of the most famous race in the world.

Minella Times and Rachael Blackmore on their way to victory
Minella Times and Rachael Blackmore on their way to victory (David Davies/PA)

“I think that day did change my life. I didn’t realise the scope of the Grand National or the reach that the race has until afterwards, it really does hit different parts of the world that other races perhaps don’t,” said Blackmore, speaking at the weights lunch for this year’s race.

“Outside the racing bubble, it hits a lot of people and when you’re walking in today and you’re seeing replays of all the old races playing in the background, it’s just an incredible race and it’s a privilege to be a part of its history now.

“He’s such a special horse for me and he gave me the best day in racing that I’ve had – and there’s a lot of hot competition for that!

“It was such an incredible day and you just have so much gratitude for the horse when they give you something like he did. It was an incredible day and to be able to do it in the colours of JP McManus and for Henry just made it even more special.

“He’s always been a yard favourite I think and Henry and all the team have done such an incredible job with him to achieve that, so I’ll always be so grateful to Henry and everyone down there for what they did in getting him to win the race.”

Reflecting on the race itself she said: “He was just such a fabulous jumper. He jumped so well from fence to fence. Obviously we got a lot of luck in the race and got a beautiful passage throughout, so luck was definitely on our side and you need that in a Grand National.

“He’s just such an intelligent horse and it was such an enjoyable race to ride in, aside from going over the line which took it to a whole different stratosphere.

“Actually riding in the race was electric and jockeys always say that just getting around in the National gives you a bit of a kick and it’s true, there’s something different about it. I already had that buzz from him, it’s an incredible feeling to get round, so to actually win the race was incredible.”

De Bromhead said: “He suffered a setback yesterday so we have taken the decision to retire him.

“He absolutely loved it at Aintree. He’d had a really good season coming up to it, having been placed in a couple of really competitive handicap chases and the McManuses were keen to go for the race. It was an amazing day and one of our best.

“Winning any of those big races is incredible, but the National was an amazing day in its own right and the fact that Rachael was the first woman to win the race made it even better.

“We were bang in the middle of Covid lockdown when we won, unfortunately, but the media attention was still massive.”

McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry confirmed it was a shoulder problem.

Rachael Blackmore created history at Aintree in 2021
Rachael Blackmore created history at Aintree in 2021 (David Davies/PA)

He said: “We were looking forward to going to the cross-country at Cheltenham with him and back to the National, but he had a mishap – he hurt his shoulder.

“He might need an operation on it to make him comfortable in retirement. It’s just disappointing.

“He gave us a great day. It’s a real shame because Henry was very happy with him and we were looking forward to getting him back for the cross-country and the National again.

“The handicapper hit him very hard for winning the National and he struggled last year, but he had dropped back down a bit so it’s just unfortunate he’s had the accident. Hopefully he’ll be fine to have a good retirement.

“The season he won the National, Henry had him in great form, he put up two great performances at Leopardstown before Aintree and everything went smoothly there.

“He got a great ride from Rachael on the day and it was a day none of us will every forget.”

National hero Minella Times retired after suffering setback

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Minella Times – the horse Rachael Blackmore created history with when becoming the first woman to ride the winner of the Grand National – has been retired following a setback.

Trained by Henry de Bromhead, the 10-year-old was being prepared for the Aintree spectacular once more, but the problem is serious enough for him to miss the April date and as a result connections have called time on his career.

The JP McManus-owned gelding progressed at a rate of knots in the 2020-21 season, finishing second in two of the biggest handicaps of the season at Leopardstown before powering to glory on Merseyside.

Raised 13lb for that success, he subsequently struggled and was brought down at Valentine’s on the first circuit in last year’s race.

Blackmore, not surprisingly, will always remember that famous afternoon in Liverpool.

She told Betfair: “It’s a day I will never forget.

“He is such a special horse to a lot of people, now he will get to enjoy a wonderful well deserved retirement in Martinstown (McManus’ stud in Ireland).

“Henry and all the team in Knockeen did such an incredible job with him and I will always be grateful for that.”

Rachael Blackmore and trainer Henry De Bromhead with the Grand National trophy
Rachael Blackmore and trainer Henry De Bromhead with the Grand National trophy (David Davies/PA)

McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “We were looking forward to going to the cross-country at Cheltenham with him and back to the National, but he had a mishap – he hurt his shoulder.

“He might need an operation on it to make him comfortable in retirement. It’s just disappointing.

“He gave us a great day. It’s a real shame because Henry was very happy with him and we were looking forward to getting him back for the cross-country and the National again.

“The handicapper hit him very hard for winning the National and he struggled last year, but he had dropped back down a bit so it’s just unfortunate he’s had the accident. Hopefully he’ll be fine to have a good retirement.

“The season he won the National Henry had him in great form, he put up two great performances at Leopardstown before Aintree and everything went smoothly there.

“He got a great ride from Rachael on the day and it was a day none of us will every forget.”

Blackmore retains faith as Honeysuckle seeks Irish Champion Hurdle four-timer

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Rachael Blackmore retains “full confidence” in Honeysuckle ahead of her bid for a fourth straight victory in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Despite landing the Dublin Racing Festival showpiece in each of the past three seasons, as well as back-to-back victories in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, Henry de Bromhead’s superstar mare will return to Foxrock as something of an underdog after suffering the first defeat of her career last time out.

That eclipse came in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, a race she has also won on three occasions, where after travelling with her trademark zest into the straight, she was reeled in and passed by both Teahupoo and Klassical Dream, seeing her beaten for the first time in 17 starts.

Blackmore admits that reverse came as a blow, but insists she was not disappointed with her performance and is confident she will put up a staunch defence of her crown this weekend.

Speaking on a press call after being unveiled as a new ambassador for Betfair, she said: “It was obviously very disappointing that she got beaten, but she put up a very good performance in defeat and we move on to the Irish Champion Hurdle.

“I think it was a combination of very strong opposition on that (soft) ground over that trip (two and a half miles). That combination was ultimately what resulted in her getting beaten.

“Teahupoo is a very good horse, as is Klassical Dream, and I really do feel that she still ran an extremely good race.

“She couldn’t be any better at home and Henry is delighted with her. I obviously love riding her, I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully she puts up a good performance.”

As a result of her Fairyhouse eclipse Honeysuckle is only second in the betting for Sunday’s feature, with the Willie Mullins-trained State Man the clear favourite to add to his previous triumphs this season in the Morgiana at Punchestown and the Matheson at Leopardstown.

Blackmore, however, is paying no attention to the odds and believes anyone who writes off her long-time ally does so at their peril.

“She’s been incredible, she’s unbeaten in Leopardstown and I really wouldn’t be underestimating her in any shape or form – she’s the one they all have to come out and beat,” she added.

“There’s always pressure riding Honeysuckle and with regards to who is favourite and who is not favourite, that is never something I take much notice of, to be honest.

“I’m on her back and I have full confidence in her. If I had lost the faith in Honeysuckle, it would be a very poor reflection of what we’ve achieved.”

Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle after winning last year's Irish Champion Hurdle
Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle after winning last year’s Irish Champion Hurdle (Niall Carson/PA)

Whether Honeysuckle will bid for a third Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month appears dependent on how she performs on Sunday, with a switch to the Mares’ Hurdle at Prestbury and even retirement mentioned as a possibility by her connections.

Blackmore is fully aware the last day she will ride the nine-year-old is drawing closer and she is intent on enjoying every second of the journey while it continues.

She said: “She’s been incredible for my career. Every jockey has a dream of being able to ride something like Honeysuckle and I’m so lucky that I’ve had the association with her.

“We got a fantastic reception in Leopardstown last year – it was one of my favourite moments in racing coming back into the winner’s enclosure. There was an incredible atmosphere and there was such anticipation before the race as well, it was fantastic.

“It would be incredible for her to win a fourth Irish Champion Hurdle. As far when that association is going to end, we know it’s not going to go past this season, but I don’t look too far ahead.

“My main focus is on this Sunday and getting over that and we’ll look to the next thing then, but I don’t really worry myself with things that are too far down the line.”

Deep Cave provides minor consolation for De Bromhead team

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Deep Cave lunged late to provide Henry de Bromhead with a welcome tonic in the opening Savills Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The Knockeen handler failed to saddle a winner across the first two days of the Christmas Festival and less than an hour before day three got under way, he was forced to withdraw his Cheltenham Gold Cup hero A Plus Tard from the featured Savills Chase on veterinary advice.

Deep Cave, a £235,000 purchase after winning an Irish point-to-point, shaped with significant promise when runner-up on his hurdling debut at Punchestown last month, though, and was an 11-4 chance to go one better.

Lot Of Joy looked likely to provide Willie Mullins with yet another winner following his Tuesday’s six-timer at the Foxrock track after taking over the lead from Firm Footings.

But the 6-5 favourite wandered under pressure after the final flight and Rachael Blackmore conjured a late run from Deep Cave to get up and score by half a length.

De Bromhead said: “He’s a nice horse and we always liked him. I thought he was going to win in Punchestown and then he just got outbattled.

“Davy (Russell) felt he went a bit soon the last day, so we said we’d take our time. I’m delighted for the owners who are new to the game.

“We’ll look to the spring and see what is there.”

Sam’s Choice and Jack Kennedy (left) jump the final flight at Leopardstown
Sam’s Choice and Jack Kennedy (left) jump the final flight at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy combined to win the following two races with Sam’s Choice and the fast-improving Maxxum respectively.

Kennedy delivered 8-1 shot Sam’s Choice with a well-timed challenge to secure top honours in the Irish Daily Star Christmas Handicap Hurdle before 11-4 favourite Maxxum routed his rivals in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle to supplement a similarly dominant success at Navan last month.

The latter was cut to 4-1 from 16-1 by Betfair for the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival.

“In fairness, Jack said to run Sam’s Choice in a big field. He followed them around and it worked out well,” said Elliott.

“We thought Maxxum was well handicapped when he came to us and we’re very happy with him. He’s going the right way.

“He shouldn’t have much problem getting into the Pertemps Final now!”

Elliott and Kennedy went on to complete a treble with Conflated in the Grade One Savills Chase.

Gentlemansgame (2-1) made a successful debut over regulation fences in the Ballymaloe Relish Beginners Chase under Darragh O’Keeffe, proving eight lengths too strong for 10-11 favourite I Am Maximus.

Gentlemansgame leads the way at Leopardstown
Gentlemansgame leads the way at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

Winning trainer Mouse Morris said: “He fiddled a few which was good when he got in a bit close and the faster he was going, the better he was jumping. He’ll come on plenty from that.

“Three miles is his trip and he’ll have to go into Graded races now. He might come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival.

“You only have to look at him and you can’t help loving him. He’s the kind of horse I really like.”

For the second afternoon running Willie and Patrick Mullins combined to win the concluding bumper with a short-priced favourite.

Ile Atlantique, who finished third over hurdles in France on his only previous outing, was a 4-7 shot for the Midland Legal Solicitors Flat Race and knuckled down to beat Feronily by just over two lengths.

Willie Mullins said: “He’s a nice sort and is just learning on the job. He was very green turning for home and when Patrick asked him it took a while for the penny to drop up the straight.

“I think he’s championship bumper class so he’ll be heading down that road.

“He’ll probably come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival.”