Honeysuckle, the Champion Hurdle winner in 2021 and 2022, brought down the curtain on her brilliant racing career with a 17th victory – her fourth in succession at the Festival – as a trademark burst of speed after the final flight carried her to a one-and-a-half length win in the Mares’ Hurdle.
Honeysuckle’s win prompted huge celebrations in the stands but also emotional scenes as she returned to the winner’s enclosure for the final time and thoughts returned to the tragic death of Jack de Bromhead, the son of her trainer, Henry, in a pony-race fall last year.
“You dream of the fairytale ending but, so often, it doesn’t happen,” De Bromhead said. “Most of it is for Honey, because she has been so unbelievable, but everyone has shown us so much support. We’re really grateful for that. It’s been an incredibly tough time.
Cheltenham 1.30 Hermes Allen (nb) 2.10 Gerri Colombe 2.50 San Salvador (nap) 3.30 Energumene 4.10 Delta Work 4.50 Dads Lad 5.30 Encanto Bruno
Huntingdon 1.50 Not Another Muddle 2.30 Moore Margaux 3.10 Feel Good Inc 3.50 Corey’s Courage 4.30 Enduring Love 5.10 Rock On Tommy 5.50 Westerninthepark
Newcastle 5.05 Land Legend 5.40 Arabian Storm 6.15 Mintnthat 6.45 Grand Libya 7.15 Walking On Clouds 7.45 South Dakota Sioux 8.15 Paddy K
Kempton 6.00 Maasai Mara 6.30 Woodstock 7.00 Brave Emperor 7.30 First Emperor 8.00 Hannah’s Return 8.30 Where’s Tom
“We know Jack is always with us and I’m sure he was here on Rachael [Blackmore]’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 she did for all of us.”
Honeysuckle was one of five Irish-trained winners on the opening day of the meeting, which opened with runners from Ireland filling the first eight places in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, won by the Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale.
El Fabiolo (Arkle Trophy), Jazzy Matty (Boodles Handicap Hurdle) and Gaillard Du Mesnil (National Hunt Chase) completed an excellent opening day for the visitors.
“It’s the best feeling of all time,” Connell, who has also owned and ridden winners at the course but was celebrating his first win as a trainer, said afterwards.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself, saying he was the best horse I’ve ever had. He’s very, very quick. He’s unlike any other horse we’ve had before. They were mainly stayers, this is a quick horse [and] today was his day.
“I enjoy [training] about 150% more. I love being with the horses, going round the yard, going out on to the gallops, talking to the staff. I think we’ll come back here for the Arkle [over fences] next year. Those are my initial thoughts at this period in time, but today is for enjoying today.”
