Rachael Blackmore brilliantly held on to Gin & Lime to win at the Cheltenham races on Friday despite rival horse My Drogo falling at the penultimate hurdle which put her and her horse off.
Blackmore was competing with Harry Skelton & My Drogo in the 2m4f Novice Race on Friday. On Friday, her opponent stumbled through the final hurdle unseated her jockey.
The Irish jockey sensationally sat Gin & Lime on the ground, with Blackmore somehow managing to stay in the saddle before heaving the Henry De Bromhead horse back up to continue the race.
Rachael (middle), showed remarkable saddle heroisms to win Friday’s 2m4f Novice Chase at Cheltenham
Blackmore’s rival, My Drogo, fell at the penultimate hurdle and unseated Harry Skelton (right), forcing the Irish jockey to sit Gin & Lime on the ground
Blackmore (second left) then picked Gin & Lime to carry on while staying seated
With Gin & Lime slowly trotting in the seconds after My Drogo’s fall, which forced jockey Skelton to be temporarily in the way of the seated Blackmore, the 32-year-old generated enough pace to clear the final hurdle and sprint towards the finish line unchallenged.
Blackmore commented after the race that he found it not difficult to sit. It was very unusual, with a race of two horses. This just goes to show that anything is possible.
I was astonished when Harry stood beside me, and thought that he would leave me for the last time. It was amazing to see her honesty and continue like this.
Blackmore showed enough speed to overcome the last hurdle, and ride to victory Friday
She was so honest, it didn’t take her very long to jump. She wasn’t certain where she was going because there were so many things going on. This was quite an honest thing to do.
Trainer de Bromhead added: ‘It was mad, wasn’t it? Although we looked defeated, I do not think that the favourite should have fallen. He had jumped superbly through. This is one of those unexpected things that you do not expect, but it turned out to be in our favor.
She was brilliant because of the many hours she spent in the hunt field. It’s hard to believe, wouldn’t you agree?
Gin & Lime was 7/4 to win Friday’s Novice Chase with Skelton’s My Drogo, trained by Harry’s brother Dan, the favourite at 4/9.
Blackmore was elated at the horse’s ‘incredible honesty’ to overcome the incident.
“He cleared the fence perfectly and then knuckled down upon landing. Racing TV was disappointed to hear from the jockey. “I was thrilled with him all the way around.
“He leapt beautifully. He was not as good at the couple in front. The mare jumped better than him over the ditch at the hill’s top. He was riding the bridle, and would have won. He’s fine, we all know this. It’s all completely normal to me.
He was frustrated that he couldn’t complete the race. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he is a weaker horse. He cantered along the straight.
He’s shown a lovely, powerful gallop that is rare in a two horse race. Rachael is doing a great job staying the course. Similar mistake. This is racing. “We move on.”