How could they doubt her? Henry de Bromhead chuckled as he told the story of Rachael Blackmore not being too happy when her judgment was questioned, and shook his head when he realized his mistake.
Blackmore, the queen of big racing days, rarely makes a bad choice and the decisiveness that has seen her instinctively win a Grand National and a Cheltenham Gold Cup proved to be spot on again as she took Ain’t That A Shame to victory piloted in the historic Goffs Thyestes Chase.
At 14-1, Ain’t That A Shame was double the price of De Bromhead’s other rider, Shantreusse, but Blackmore was convinced of the gelding’s ability, and when she brought him onto the rails with a brutal run to win the € 59,000 first prize to be plundered, you wondered why her conviction was not shared.
‘I said to her last week, maybe we should start calling you “Wrong Choice Rachael” and I can tell you she didn’t think it was that funny!’ De Bromhead, whose day started again with a 14-1 winner thanks to Champagne Mahler, said with a smile.
“But look, fair play to her. It was a ride, wasn’t it? She was absolutely perfect.”
Jockey Rachael Blackmore and Ain’t That A Shame after the win at Gowran Park
Isn’t she always? Blackmore would not necessarily relish the spotlight that her groundbreaking achievements in the saddle have shone on her, but how a capacity crowd at Gowran Park rejoiced in the realization that it was her who emerged from the gloom with a winning challenge.
This was a fantastic day in County Kilkenny, everything National Hunt racing should be, but a win at Blackmore adds another layer of spice and all you had to do was see the group of schoolboys waiting around the paddock, begging to selfies and autographs, to understand her reach.
Young and old, male and female, all wanted to acknowledge what they had seen from a horse that, in the colors of Brian Acheson’s Robcour Racing, was favorite for last year’s Grand National (he was a legless last of the 17 finishers) , but, most crucially, its pilot.
Perhaps it was said best by Sally De Bromhead, Henry’s mother. Her late husband, Harry, trained the 1992 Thyestes Chase winner Grand Habit and she had seen Henry’s first success in the race seven years ago with Champagne West, but she felt compelled to talk about Blackmore.
“It’s a fantastic race, but she was great,” Mrs De Bromhead said softly. “She’s a special lady.” That cannot be disputed.
It was a special achievement and it had to meet the dogged challenge of tenacious runner-up Glengouly, who was set to run for his life by Willie Mullins and did just that, with a series of daring jumps.
Away in a sunnier clime, Mullins is embracing the opportunity to get some rest before the hustle and bustle of the spring festivals, and as such it was left to his son Patrick to oversee the on-course duties alongside assistant David Casey.
As frustrating as it was to see what would have been a record-extending tenth success in the Thyestes, there were still three winners on the day for Mullins, the most emotional – and loudest celebrated – being Monkfish in the Grade. Two Galmoy obstacles.
Monkfish is huge, a chestnut with a white face, and has a reputation to match. His connections always believed he would one day win a Cheltenham Gold Cup – he had won at the 2020 and 2021 festivals – but persistent injuries have kept him on the sidelines for almost three years.
He is the kind of horse that is greatly appreciated by the winter crowd, someone who keeps coming back and gives everything. Monkfish clearly showed that there was petrol in this particular engine as he roared between the last two flights and bounced up the hill to loud cheers.
“He’s 10 years old now and injuries are getting in his way,” Mullins Jr. reported. ‘But what a great start this is for his season. We have always loved him. Would you believe I got hit in a bumper on him at the Punchestown Festival?
Blackmore guided Ain’t That A Shame to victory in the historic Goffs Thyestes Chase
Blackmore’s instincts proved spot on again as she nailed the 14-1 shot to victory
‘Is he going to Cheltenham? Let’s see. He was supposed to start over the fences at Tramore on New Year’s Day this year, but he had a little bang and we decided to wait for this.
“All options are open, but we’ll just wait and make sure he’s okay in the morning.”
One horse that is certainly in order is Hewick, the €850 superstar who secured a new legion of fans after his thrilling success in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. Shark Hanlon, his ebullient trainer, watched proudly as Hewick prowled the paddock to show the locals their appreciation.
‘Brilliant, isn’t it?’ Hanlon said. It certainly was: brilliant animals, a brilliant atmosphere – and a brilliant jockey whom they will never doubt again.