Rachael Blackmore continued her remarkable rise in jump racing history when she won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on runaway winner A Plus Tard on Friday. Trainer Henry De Bromhead completed a one-two in the Gold Cup for the second year running with Minella Indo, who won the race last year, finishing second.
Second 12 months ago to Minella Indo, the winning pair reversed that form in style as the 3-1 favorite stormed up the hill to claim a stylish success.
Blackmore, who became the first woman to win the Champion Hurdle and Grand National last season, is now the first woman to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Blackmore said: “I just can’t believe it. I’m so lucky to be getting to ride all these kind of horses. You can’t do this without the horses and being attached to Henry’s yard is just absolutely phenomenal. To give me this horse is unbelievable I don’t know what to say.
“I’ve had so many special days. I wouldn’t swap the Grand National for anything but this is the Gold Cup. I wish I had something better to say right now. I just can’t.
“You have all these plans about how things are going to work out. Racing doesn’t let that happen all the time and for some reason it’s happened to me today. I just can’t explain how lucky I feel.”
Richard Thompson, of owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: “We’ve been talking about this moment, and it’s happened. It’s absolutely fantastic to win the Gold Cup. Incredible. My father would have loved it, he watched the Gold Cup for many years and to actually win it is incredible. I can’t even speak.
“I did feel she was a bit far back, but I knew she had a gameplan – she has totally delivered. What a day for racing.”
De Bromhead said: “It’s unbelievable. Rachael was brilliant on him – she wanted to ride him for his pace. It’s brilliant for her – she’s a brilliant rider and we are very lucky to have her. It’s stuff you dream about.”
