Rachael Blackmore provides insight into her two rides at the Galway Races Summer Festival, including The Folkes Tiara in the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase on the final day

  • Rachael Blackmore is raring to go at the Galway Races Summer Festival
  • The 34-year-old jockey and Betfair ambassador has two rides this weekend
  • Her first ride will be Jasko Des Dames, before she rides The Folkes Tiara on Sunday

Rachael Blackmore can’t wait to get started at the Galway Races Summer Festival and has two rides spread across the weekend.

The 34-year-old jockey will make his first ride as Jasko Des Dames in the maiden hurdle on Saturday, but The Folkes Tiara will be given a seat in the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase on Sunday.

The Betfair ambassador gives insight into her rides at the Galway Races Summer Festival last weekend.

Betfair ambassador Rachael Blackmore (above) has two rides in Galway this weekend

Galway Saturday

1.55 – Jasko Des Dames

On Saturday I will ride Jasko Des Dames in the first maiden hurdle in Galway.

He won a record 2.5km race in France and ran his first run for Henry well in a maiden hurdle race at Navan in December last year, and went one better the next time out when he finished second in a maiden hurdle race at Punchestown in January.

He hasn’t run since finishing last in a very competitive handicap hurdle race at the Punchestown Festival, but he’s been in good form at home and I hope he can do well.

Her first ride will be as Jasko Des Dames in the opening race on Saturday, but The Folkes Tiara will take part in the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase on Sunday.

Her first ride will be as Jasko Des Dames in the opening race on Saturday, but The Folkes Tiara will take part in the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase on Sunday.

Galway Sunday

3.30 – The Folkes Tiara

I am looking forward to competing in the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase on Sunday, the last day of Galway Week, with The Folkes Tiara.

He has not run since finishing last at the Punchestown Festival in the handicap race won by Galway Plate winner Pinkerton on Wednesday, but he is in good form at home and can still perform well when fresh.

This is a very competitive race, as you would expect, and he is a few kilos over the handicap, but it is a good race for him. He is a good jumper and I hope he does well.