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‘It’s incredible’: Rachael Blackmore takes first Queen Mother Champion Chase victory

Gemma Redrup Gemma Redrup

    • Captain Guinness provided Rachael Blackmore with her first Queen Mother Champion Chase victory at the Cheltenham Festival this afternoon (13 March).

    The nine-year-old, trained by Henry De Bromhead and owned by Declan Landy capitalised on a bad mistake from the Willie Mullins-trained red-hot favourite El Fabiolo, who was swiftly pulled up when he guessed at the fence away from the stands early on.

    Rachael said of the gelding’s first Grade One victory: “He travelled incredibly and he jumped really well, but it felt like a long hill today. I’m so pleased for his owner as he’s been knocking on the door in these big races, but this is the biggest of his division.

    “It’s incredible, just incredible and I’m so happy to do it on this horse. He always runs his race and he is a really enjoyable horse to ride – it’s magic.”

    Mr De Bromhead was saddling his fourth Champion Chase winner following wins for Sizing Europe, Special Tiara and Put The Kettle On.

    “He’s had a tricky season – at Christmas he had his atrial fibrillation. Anyway, all that was fine, he passed all his tests, and it’s great to see him back. We’ve always said he deserved to win a Grade One so much, and to win this is incredible,” said Mr De Bromhead.

    Gentleman De Mee, who threatened to become the 100th festival winner for Mr Mullins, finished half a length second under Mark Walsh after serving up a battle to Captain Guinness.

    Rank outsider Funambule Sivola, who went off at 100/1, finished third in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and was the only other finisher under Charlie Deutsch for trainer Venetia Williams.

    The Alan King-trained Edwardstone, who was best of the British hopes, blazed a trail throughout the race until falling at the penultimate under Tom Cannon. Both horse and jockey walked away.

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    Gemma Redrup
    Gemma Redrup

    H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor
    Gemma is an experienced journalist, having been part of the H&H team since 2014, who is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting talents have taken her to numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
    Gemma Redrup

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