Grade One-winning National jockey Rachael Blackmore thinks it is "pretty cool" that she has picked up the ride on King Of The Throne in Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.
Blackmore finished second to Paul Townend in the winter championship last season and has been snapped up by Emmet Mullins, nephew of champion trainer Willie, for the Derby outsider.
The pair teamed up last week to win the Listed Martin Moloney Stakes with Oriental Eagle at Limerick.
However, Mullins himself will be absent this weekend, having broken Covid-19 protocols earlier this month.
"To be riding in the Irish Derby is pretty cool for me and a fantastic opportunity to get," said Blackmore, speaking before she rode another winner on the Flat at Fairyhouse.
"It's such a prestigious race, and to get an opportunity to do it is a massive deal.
"It's great to be doing it for Emmet as well - we teamed up last weekend for a Listed winner, so it's a fantastic opportunity to be getting.
"It's a massive deal to ride in a race like this, a real honour, to be honest."
Another winner on the Flat for @rachaelblackmor 💪
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 25, 2020
Oromo follows up to remain unbeaten in 2020 for Karl Thornton at @Fairyhouse
Results ➡ https://t.co/GI57hUtDeF pic.twitter.com/sWuqXVtCay
Blackmore's Fairyhouse victory came in division one of the Meath Handicap on the punted 3-1 favourite Oromo, who could have been backed at 13-2 in places earlier in the day.
It was a second success in 10 days for the horse and rider combination after a 28-1 win on the Karl Thorton-trained gelding at the same course last week.
Watch live coverage of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival at the Curragh on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Friday from 7-8pm, on Saturday (Irish Derby at 7.15pm) from 6-8pm and on Sunday from 3-5pm.
