Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore have kept their perfect partnership in tact as the wondermare made it sixteen wins on the spin with a superb success in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
With Saint Roi setting the early pace, Blackmore delivered the Henry De Bromhead stable star from over the third last, keeping on with consummate ease to ping the penultimate obstacles and land on the line with three lengths room to spare from the improving Echoes In Rain.
It's yet another Grade 1 success in a phemonenal season for De Bromhead, Blackmore and the Knockeen stable.
? Honeysuckle - the horse of a lifetime who retains her unbeaten record
? 16 runs
? 16 wins
?? @punchestownrace Champion Hurdle
?? Champion Hurdle
? Mares Hurdle
1️⃣2️⃣ G1 wins
⭐️ Racing's golden girl@HenrydeBromhead | @rachaelblackmor | #PTown22 pic.twitter.com/rscz5u6HFE— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2022
Speaking after the race, a jubilant Blackmore was delighted to keep their 100% record rolling into the new season.
"She's just really really phenomenal. Henry does some job with her - producing her like this every single day. She was just brilliant like - we went a fair gallop early on, when you turn in on her and ask her to find another gear - it's just some feeling for a jockey."
De Bromhead was beaming with delight as the fairytale continues.
"Rachael is just so good on her. She never interferes. The fairytale continues really - that's the easiest way to put it. It's ridiculous. I'm always so negative and waiting for something bad to happen. Thankfully, it hasn't - it's just amazing."
It's been a fine Punchestown Festival for De Bromhead, picking up four wins - courtesy of Honeysuckle, Magic Daze, Life In The Park and Tag Man.
