Honeysuckle’s fairytale finish has emotions running high at Cheltenham

 

With a devastating late burst of pace into Cheltenham’s dipping sun, Honeysuckle ran victorious into retirement under an emotional Rachael Blackmore on Tuesday.

It was not just the jockey struggling to hold back the tears as the nine year-old surged to a highly charged win in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle. As she powered past Love Envoi in the final furlong in her 19th and final race the sentiment was almost overwhelming for trainer Henry de Bromhead, whose 13-year-old son Jack died six months ago in a riding accident.

‘So many emotions, it was ridiculous,’ admitted De Bromhead. ‘I am just so happy for the mare, and for Rachael, and for all of us. It’s just a massive result.

‘We know Jack is always with us and I’m sure he was here on Rachael’s shoulder. Honeysuckle has been a huge part of our life and Jack just adored her – so she as much did it for him as for all of us.’

With Honeysuckle’s star apparently waning, the decision had been made to step down from the Champion Hurdle, although the field in the Mares’ race was formidably strong. She tracked Love Envoi until the closing stages, but looked set to fall just short before summoning up one last final effort, to a cacophony of support that could have blown the roof off. see more information