IT’S official. Rachael Blackmore is the Queen of Cheltenham.
The Irish star recorded a stunning six wins to take home the Leading Jockey trophy.
The 31-year-old daughter of a teacher and dairy-farmer was no unknown in the racing world before the week kicked off, but will have earned thousands of new fans as she became the first female to win the award.
But you can get forget the gender tag – she’s as good as it gets.
She rode Honeysuckle to a thumping win in the Champion Hurdle and fellow Henry De Bromhead star Bob Olinger to win the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
Sir Gerhard’s Champion Bumper win was a result of one of, if not THE ride of the week.
Blackmore may have fallen agonisingly short in the Gold Cup as stablemate Minella Indo took the big one.
But Grade 1 wins on Telmesomethingirl, Allaho in the Ryanair and Quilixios in the Triumph Hurdle almost made up for it.
Punters had Willie Mullins number one Paul Townend down as the red-hot 1-3 favourite before racing got under way. Blackmore was a 14-1 chance.
Ruby Walsh, whom the Leading Jockey award is named after, said: “It’s been incredible what’s she’s done, tactically all week she’s been in the right place on so many horses.
