Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Rachael Blackmore claimed a stirring victory

Blackmore forever grateful to 'phenomenal' Honeysuckle

Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle have been a match made in heaven, each responsible for boosting the other's career.

Henry de Bromhead celebrates alongside jockey Rachael Blackmore

Honeysuckle signs off with emotional Mares' Hurdle win

There were joyous scenes on day one of the Cheltenham Festival when Honeysuckle brought the curtain down on her phenomenal career with an emotional victory in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle.

Racing • 14 Mar 23

Rachael Blackmore has piloted Honeysuckle to three Grade One wins at Cheltenham

Honeysuckle primed for sweet swansong in Mares' Hurdle

There will surely be no more popular winner at this year's Cheltenham Festival than Honeysuckle if she can go out in a blaze of glory in Tuesday's Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle.

Racing • 13 Mar 23

Honeysuckle, with Rachael Blackmore up, finished second in the Irish Champion Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival

Honeysuckle to have Mares' swansong at Cheltenham

Connections of Honeysuckle have announced the popular nine-year-old will have one final run in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

Racing • 07 Feb 23

Jockey Rachael Blackmore with winner of the Champion Hurdle Honeysuckle last March

Rachael Blackmore keeping faith in Honeysuckle

Rachael Blackmore retains "full confidence" in Honeysuckle ahead of her bid for a fourth straight victory in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Racing • 02 Feb 23

Only Istabraq (four) and Hurricane Fly (five) have won more Irish Champion Hurdles than Honeysuckle

De Bromhead happy with Honeysuckle ahead of DRF

Henry de Bromhead does not expect Honeysuckle to give up her crown lightly when she bids for fourth successive victory in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Racing • 25 Jan 23

Honeysuckle suffered a surprise defeat in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month

Champion Hurdle or retirement for Honeysuckle

Connections of Honeysuckle have effectively ruled out a tilt at the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, stating she will either bid for a third Champion Hurdle victory or be retired.

Racing • 08 Jan 23

Rachael Blackmore and Honesysuckle after finishing third in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse

De Bromhead may drop Honeysuckle back to Mares' Hurdle

Henry de Bromhead has raised the possibility of switching back to the Mares' Hurdle with Honeysuckle following her first career defeat at Fairyhouse last weekend.

Racing • 11 Dec 22

Teahupoo (R) with Jack Kennedy up, en route to winning the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle

Honeysuckle beaten as Teahupoo springs surprise

Teahupoo caused a shock in the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle as Honeysuckle's unbeaten run came to an end at Fairyhouse.

Racing • 04 Dec 22

Honeysuckle pictured en route to victory in her first Hatton's Grace in 2019

Honeysuckle heads to Fairyhouse for Hatton's Grace

A week on from Constitution Hill's blistering display at Newcastle, Honeysuckle bids to prove she will not let go of her Champion Hurdle crown lightly by securing a record fourth victory in the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse this weekend.

Racing • 02 Dec 22

Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore winning last year's Hatton's Grace

Honeysuckle seeks Hatton's Grace four-timer

Honeysuckle will face a maximum of eight rivals as she bids for a record-breaking fourth win in the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Racing • 30 Nov 22

Honeysuckle had three lengths to spare over Echoes In Rain

Punchestown Festival: Honeysuckle stays unbeaten

The remarkable Honeysuckle (1-5F) stretched her unbeaten record to 16 with another imperious display in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

Racing • 29 Apr 22

Honeysuckle will aim to continue her winning run

Punchestown Festival: Honeysuckle defends her crown

Honeysuckle is primed to extend her undefeated record as she bids for a second Paddy Power Champion Hurdle title at Punchestown on Friday.

Racing • 29 Apr 22

'It's not so much that we're frightened of her, it's just doing something that wasn't really in Constitution Hill's interest,' says Nicky Henderson

Constitution Hill trainer turns down Honeysuckle duel

Nicky Henderson has confirmed Constitution Hill will not take on Honeysuckle at Punchestown next week and will instead head off on his summer break.

Racing • 18 Apr 22

Constitution Hill routed his rivals in the opener at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday

Constitution Hill under consideration for Punchestown

Connections of Constitution Hill are likely to consider next month's Punchestown Festival for the ultra-impressive Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner.

Racing • 20 Mar 22

"This is such a special place and we missed the crowds last year"

'Buzzing' Blackmore savours crowd love at Cheltenham

Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore got the reception they so richly deserved following an imperious defence of the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Racing • 15 Mar 22

Rachael Blackmore celebrates with the Champion Hurdle Trophy

Blackmore and Honeysuckle make history at Cheltenham

Honeysuckle successfully defended her title when becoming the first mare to win a second Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Racing • 15 Mar 22

Rachael Blackmore celebrates her Champions Hurdle triumph with a rapturous Prestbury Park crowd

Cheltenham Festival: Day 1 results and reports

Honeysuckle remains unbeaten for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead after a stirring Champions Hurdle triumph at Cheltenham. Here's how Day 1 at the festival went.

Racing • 15 Mar 22

Honeysuckle had six and a half lengths to spare over her nearest rival in last year's edition of hurdling's blue riband event

Cheltenham Festival: Champion Hurdle preview

Honeysuckle bids to extend her hegemony of the two-mile hurdling division in the feature on what many regard as being the most compelling day of the Cheltenham Festival each year.

Racing • 15 Mar 22

Rachael Blackmore will be looking for back-to-back success with Honeysuckle at this year's Festival

Honeysuckle heads ten chasing Champion Hurdle honours

Honeysuckle will face nine rivals as she defends her Unibet Champion Hurdle crown at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.

Racing • 13 Mar 22

Rachael Blackmore has partnered Honeysuckle in each of her 14 racecourse victories

Cheltenham Festival: 10 remain in Champion Hurdle

Honeysuckle will face a maximum of nine rivals as she tries to defend her Unibet Champion Hurdle crown on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Racing • 09 Mar 22

Honeysuckle is a 4-7 favourite for the Champion Hurdle but can be backed at bigger prices on the exchanges

Cheltenham Festival: De Bromhead stable tour

Henry de Bromhead admits the excitement is really starting to build for the Cheltenham Festival as he puts the finishing touches to the preparations of defending champions Honeysuckle and Minella Indo.

Racing • 08 Mar 22

Rachael Blackmore celebrating yet another win on Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle lands Champion Hurdle again with ease

Honeysuckle took her unbeaten record to 14 when winning the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle for a third time at Leopardstown.

Racing • 06 Feb 22

Henry de Bromhead's mare has been head and shoulders above her contemporaries for two seasons now and bids for a third successive win in the day two feature at this year's Dublin Racing Festival

Honeysuckle heads Irish Champion Hurdle quintet

Honeysuckle will face just four rivals in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, with Willie Mullins deciding against taking her on with Appreciate It.

Racing • 04 Feb 22

Honeysuckle was an emphatic 10-length winner of last year's race

Honeysuckle set for Irish Champion Hurdle hat-trick bid

Unbeaten Honeysuckle is on course for an Irish Champion Hurdle hat-trick attempt at the Dublin Racing Festival next month, connections have confirmed.

Racing • 05 Jan 22