Today Rachael Blackmore made history when becoming the first lady jockey to win the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham Festival (16 March). She was aboard the mare Honeysuckle, who is trained by Irishman Henry De Bromhead and owned by Kenneth Alexander.
“It’s absolutely incredible to win — I can’t believe we just won a Champion Hurdle,” said a virtually speechless Rachael after the race. “It’s unbelievable for everyone in the yard at home — they all work so hard.
“Henry produces her every day in that form and I get to steer her around — it’s just incredible. She’s so straightforward to ride and when you know you have an engine under you, it’s very easy to do things in a race.”
Henry De Bromhead, trainer of the seven year-old said after the race: “I never thought this would happen — you dream about it. She’s an amazing mare and what a partnership her and Rachael have. I thought Rachael was so cool in the race.”
The Willie Mullins-trained Sharjah was second under Paul Townend and the Nicky Henderson-trained Epatante, who won this race last year was third under Aidan Coleman.
Who were the 2021 Champion Hurdle runners?
Honeysuckle | Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland
Owner: Mr K. Alexander
Epatante | Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Nicky Henderson
Mr John P. McManus
Goshen | Jockey: J E Moore
Gary Moore
Mr Steven Packham
Sharjah | Jockey: P Townend
W. P. Mullins, Ireland
Mrs S. Ricci
Horse: Abacadabras | Jockey: J W Kennedy
Mrs D Foster, Ireland
Gigginstown House Stud
Silver Streak | Jockey: T J O’Brien
Evan Williams
Mr L. Fell
James du Berlais | Jockey: D A Jacob
W. P. Mullins, Ireland
Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede
Aspire Tower | Jockey: R M Power
Henry de Bromhead, Ireland
Robcour
Not So Sleepy | Jockey: J J Burke
Hughie Morrison
Lady Blyth
Saldier | Jockey: D E Mullins
W. P. Mullins, Ireland
Mrs S. Ricci
What is the prize money for winning?
The total prize pot for the 2021 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy is £337,500 and the winner takes home £189,912.
Recent winners
2020: Epitante – read the race report
2019: Espoir D’Allen – read the race report
2018: Buveur D’Air – read the race report
2017: Buveur D’Air – read the race report
2016: Annie Power – read the race report
2015: Faugheen – read the race report
2014: Jezki – read the race report
2013: Hurricane Fly – read the race report
2012: Rock On Ruby – read the race report
2011: Hurricane Fly – read the race report
Winning-most trainer, horse, jockey and owner
The all-time leading Champion Hurdle trainer is Nicky Henderson, who has so far won it a total of eight times, thanks to See You Then (1985, 1986, 1987), Punjabi (2009), Binocular (2010), Beveur D’Air (2017, 2018) and Epatante (2020). Five horses have won three Champion Hurdles, which is the current record. These are Hatton’s Grace (1949-51), Sir Ken (1952-54), Persian War (1968-70), See You Then and Istabraq (1998-2000). Three jockeys have won the race four times, which sits at the current record. These are Tim Molony, Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty. And the leading Cheltenham Gold Cup owner, J. P. McManus, has so far won it nine times – three times with Istabraq, as well as with Binocular, Jezki (2014) and Beveur D’Air.
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The history of the Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is the most prestigious hurdle race in the calendar. The race was first to run in 1927. That inaugural race was won by Blaris, earning connections £365.
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