Updated / Tuesday, 16 Mar 2021
17:49
Rachael Blackmore holds the Champion Hurdle trophy aloft
Rachael Blackmore made history with victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle aboard Honeysuckle at Cheltenham – becoming the first female jockey to win the great Grade One race.
The Tipperary woman kept the 11-10 favourite in behind the pace set by a trio of frontrunners, but then swept past after the second-last to win by six and a half lengths. Absolutely incredible – I m speechless to be honest, she told ITV Racing. I really am. I can t believe we just won a Champion Hurdle – it’s incredible.
Henry de Bromhead s brilliant mare, remaining unbeaten on her 11th career start under rules, was chased home by Sharjah – second in the race for the second time in succession – and last year’s winner Epatante, who stayed on late to take third.
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