HONEYSUCKLE brings the house down with emotional victory in 2023 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle

There were joyous scenes on day one of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival when Honeysuckle brought the curtain down on her phenomenal career with an emotional victory in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.
The sparkle of Henry de Bromhead's superstar had seemingly been on the wane this term and the decision was made to return the dual Champion Hurdle heroine to the race she first announced herself in at the Festival for her swansong.
And the nine-year-old did not let her adoring public down by showing all the qualities that have made her one of the most loved and admired mares of the modern era.
Sent off the 9-4 joint-favourite, jockey Rachael Blackmore had Honeysuckle positioned in second throughout tracking the front-running Love Envoi and although the pack swarmed as the field made their way down the hill, the order remained the same until after the last.
With Love Envoi refusing to lie down, the brave mare Honeysuckle responded to every urging of her rider to gallop up the Cheltenham hill one more time, going to the bottom of the well and digging deep to edge her way to a titanic one-and-a-half-length triumph.
The win gave her a fourth at the Festival and she signs off as one of the all-time great mares having won 17 of her 19 career starts.
#cheltenhamfestival #horseracing
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[@stevelee4952]

I lost my son when he was just 21. So to see this lovely man talking so wonderfully about his son, without looking for pity, is the mark of a great man.

[@scottmeehan2422]

Especially when u find out honeysuckle was jacks favourite horse in his dads stable.

[@michaelcasey6546]

I can't put into words of seeing her flying up the cheltenham hill for one last time in front, congratulations to all involved and to Henry, Rachel and of course the magical Honeysuckle all I can say is thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for all the memories.

[@RacingTV]

Couldn't agree more Michael!

[@suemaher5282]

Great comment Michael I think u spoke for all of us. What a reception they got and the people who think racing doesn't care about the horses should look at these comments. Owner trainer and jockey u all deserved that. I was one who wanted to see her retired so glad she had Henry prove me wrong. What a tough mare she is.

[@michaelcasey6546]

@@suemaher5282 Thanks Sue, she is indeed a wonderful mare who has touched the hearts of so many of us for different reasons, I just know though when she arrives at Cheltenham she just comes alive and to see her end a glittering career on the race course like that was just a fitting way to bow out, she's just incredible and like I said to all involved with her a massive congratulations and thank you for the wonderful memories she gave us.

[@michaelcasey6546]

@@RacingTV Thank guys and thanks also for the wonderful coverage you provide not just at Cheltenham but at all the racecourses throughout the year.

[@scottmeehan2422]

And i can say hand on heart there was a wee angel guiding her every furlong on her way to victory.

[@patrickmccarthy3123]

My wife died 6th March last year and was in floods of tears when Huneysuckle won tears of sorrow and tears of joy and can fully understand the emotion that was very evident in Henry's acceptance of the occasion ,Rachel was so great and emotional and honest thank you all for today.

[@lessamuels3767]

Emotional race one i a million horses that capture your heart for eternity ♥️💙🏇

[@pitchblack3205]

Me Bromhead is Pure Class I’m so happy for Him God Bless from Canada

[@paulparkin7467]

Well done honeysuckle ,what a way to go out .beautiful mare

[@DarrenHarrington]

Was so emotional seeing honeysuckle fly up the Cheltenham hill for the last time but what a horse she has been. Congratulations to all involved

[@mo6278]

It was fantastic i had the €20 F/C made it all the more sweet 🤑

[@stevelee4952]

Great trainer, great man.

[@wayneeboiii122]

The way Rachel went to her neck 2 strides after the line put a lump in my throat happy retirement honeysuckle well done Rachel amazing in the saddle again

[@christophedallaporta8836]

Rachel blackmore deserves all the credit she gets. She's simply brillant !!

[@jumbojimbo706]

Average jockey that gets on the best horses because shes a woman lmao

[@nathan-cc6nc]

That was emotional listen to Lydia and Henry cry then wow honeysuckle brings some comfort to the family after the loss of jack what a day of racing honeysuckle and constitution hill your do well to beat that the rest of the week

[@felixlieter1429]

That famous kick off the last bend. Well done ladies. Sport at it's best.

[@pittyfool]

My Favourite moment ever on a racecourse!

[@ThomasDoubting5]

I had love envoi ,but I didn't mind losing , what a star honeysuckle is , she was not being beaten always fantastic to see.

[@cuecard1872]

Love Envoi has big days in the sun coming. She is very, very good.

[@ThomasDoubting5]

@@cuecard1872 Id have to agree .

[@Noobishrook]

Congrats to Henry and Rachael who fits this horse perfectly. Those that doubter her when she came back this year and said she has lost a step could be true. But losing to Statesman and seeing that horse and Constitution Hill run in the Champion Hurdle can also say this years caliber could be way stronger then the ones she's faced in the past so. Nonetheless she proved she's still got it and Congrats once more for Honeysuckle where she's won 2 Champion Hurdles and 2 Mares Hurdles.

[@Elliot-T]

Congratulations honeysuckle. Shows Love envoi is a classy horse

[@andrewrose4643]

Told my dad Love Envoi months ago sad it lost if running was shorter would have won but Honeysuckle engine kicked in not too fuss though glad it retired as another Cheltenham winner

[@cuecard1872]

Fairytale stuff. The perfect end to a brilliant story. What a mare and what a pair. Couldn't have asked for anything more. A true modern great.

[@bpfromowc]

She was my biggest bet of the festival. 🏆🙂✌️ What a gentleman Henry is.

[@celticlofts]

The partnership of Huneysuckle, Blackmore and de Bromhead reminds me of the other great partnership of Arkle, Taafee and Tom Dreaper.. The stars aligned for them.

[@helenrobinson6896]

Wow fantastic Honeysuckle so glad she went out on a high congrats to all connections and I will shadow the comment below from Michael Casey well said my friend, It will be very interesting to see what her future foals can do, may she have a very safe and sound retirement at stud thank you for the memories Honeysuckle

[@joannetyrrell364]

This is what NH is all about. Beautiful game horses. Incredible personalities, family.

[@casshancock1884]

Well done honeysuckle the trainer son was with him and honeysuckle

[@gurrbovr]

What a amazing man Henry is

[@cdawg4406]

I was there live today what a sight

[@patriciaguth6882]

I'm American and I'm not necessarily a fan of jump racing, but this was beautiful! 😊

[@arkletv5697]

What a wonderful mare. I hope we all won a few quid.

[@larryanderson9711]

How good is Rachel Blackmore! There's levels to this game

[@noelquigley8033]

Super interview 👌👌👌

[@markzuckermyberg5912]

Honeysuckle the way she went around the last bend won the race for her.

[@patrickfarrell5092]

I loved the way Rachel got the dig into Matt Chapman after the race regarding picking the mares over the champion hurdle. He ended the interview immediately. 👏👏. Fair play to the Cheltenham crowd for the send off, great to see.

[@davidfarrell8451]

Chapman's "Clarkson Lite" thing is starting to run out of steam.

[@frankelforever14]

Completely agree but I've been tempted to ignore him after making that point or just asking him if he thinks this reception is better than third in champion hurdle

[@roberttalbot6397]

When she jumped the last with love envoi I was a happy man,well clear from the rest.

[@golfbkk]

One champion retires and another takes the helm. What a days racing.

[@helenrobinson6896]

Just to add how good or bad is Rachel compared to other jockeys the golden goddess of national hunt has only gone and done it again long may she continue how many races does miss Blackmore have to win to silence the doubters, sadly there are still some but most appreciate and celebrate her efforts and for those who dont....Do you ride ? have you ever been involved with thoroughbreds ? or are you just an arm chair expert ? Said lady as with all national hunt jockeys loves the horse the sport has nerves of steel and total and utter commitment. She is as strong and determined if not more than any man, she has to be be to survive and thrive in this sphere GO Rachel

[@dmoore2725]

Bravo Honeysuckle. Made me a lot of money over these years so thanks and enjoy retirement. What a race as had second each way too. Well done Rachel as always. Henry, hope this brings you some comfort and congratulations to you and connections

[@anthonyperrin3411]

Why we Love real competitive sport. Fab!!!

[@johnobrien8398]

Backed her today won a few quid well done honey enjoy your retirement great horse

[@101mossie]

On her form behind stateman she couldn’t win another champion hurdle, ran in the right race and won well.

[@slitsk]

Hate how fan noise is turned down on these replays

[@stephenpope6473]

You can tell how good honeysuckle is at one point I was worried the horse would get left behind but it came 2 out and cruised home

[@unionjakjakson]

Lovely when it finishes like that. Hope they don't run her again. Thankyou and God bless to her & all her connections.

[@SIMDICK]

Brutal acceleration at the end...jeez

[@rodneymckee8431]

Why is it always the last that bts me in a L15 😥. However if there was any horse I didn't mind loosing to it was Honeysuckle

[@brendandaly5397]

brilliant

[@moulinyan]

HDB did well to suck that up whilst the reporter sounded like she was crying

[@comesahorseman]

All good things must end sometime. Happy retirement to her!

[@dbmikeyg255]

She’s a beast won me 250 quid on a free bet Acca

[@zjaaht]

💛💛💛👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@nathan-cc6nc]

I think next year love envoi is going to be a serious horse

[@leokelliher-fi3vi]

She can win again she is show a special horse

[@markkerr860]

👍🏻

[@richardbennett2104]

Yes she was a certainty a dual. Champion hurdle winner against mares 😅

[@roberttalbot6397]

Should name a drinking place on racecourse " the honeysuckle bar"

[@ryangleadow4581]

don't think the great honeysuckle should be retired on that showing plenty more still in the tank

[@blairsim1527]

Nothing else to prove

[@patrickfarrell5092]

No way, retire her safe and sound, anything else would be selfish and I know Kenny Alexander is totally focused on her welfare.

[@garrymccartney3982]

​@@patrickfarrell5092 admire the sentiment, but her offspring will be worth more than she can win racing. That's why she's being retired.

[@keithknight1686]

Henry was right to run her, rather than the Champion Hurdle but great horses shouldn't be allowed to run in lesser races at the Cheltenham Festival.

[@JBLancs]

Some animals horses.

[@mickharrison9004]

Punters paid a high price for a couple of good things going in this day ,because today bookies called in dick Turpin and al Capone too 😂

[@befairish]

Great to see Honeysuckle go out with a victory; but don't think it was as high quality a race as when she beat Benie de Dieux

[@themanager3]

MANAGER OF YONKERS RACE WAY SAYS HELLO THE ONE THE ONLY THE MANAGER

[@themanager3]

MANAGER MUCH LOVE ALWAYS THE ONE THE ONLY THE MANAGER

[@suzyaustin3039]

She is wonderful, but why Headline your video, Honeysuckle brings the house down, when you don't show that. Show none of the cheering or emotion as she is coming in.

[@dhdavidholloway]

Now the Irish are copying the very annoying British habit of saying "yeah" in almost every sentence

[@stevens9996]

Has anyone actually talked about the race rather than the story? This was supposed to be one of best races, but instead we got the most farcical race run at the Festival. There was always a danger of no pace, and effectively it has turned into a speed race between two horses massively advantaged by track position. If you wanted to set the race up for Honeysuckle to win this is the way you would have done it. What were the others doing, particularly Jacob on Theatre Glory. That horse has gone forward and was a 50/1 rag representing Henderson who had the strongest stayer in the race, Marie's Rock.

[@keithf_]

I think it was scandalous that the reigning Champion Hurdler returned to race on the same day in a mares hurdle. The connections disrespected the horse IMO

[@mrtibbz10]

Why have constitution decimate her they knew she wouldn't win and this race was still a challenge good battle to win it!!!!

[@helenrobinson6896]

I do get your point my view is she would not have won the champion hurdle would be interesting to compare the times though they wanted her to go out on a high and this was her best option now she can retire safe and sound go off to stud and hopefully produce foals as good as her - brilliant mare

[@patrickfarrell5092]

Keith, the mares was the only obvious choice for honeysuckle, she had won it before, it proved to be the perfect choice, I don't get the disrespect point.

[@keithf_]

@@helenrobinson6896 The Mares Hurdle (which Honeysuckle won) is about a half mile further in distance than the Champion Hurdle, so comparing times is pointless. It was like the current Arc De Triomphe winner returning to Longchamp on Arc Day and running in a Group 3 race. If she'd have run in the Champion Hurdle, she's probably have finished 3rd just behind State Man ... and I'd have said Well Done ! But in the end it was a pathetic way for a very good horse to bow out.

[@nadefodder2874]

I Don`t think they disrespected the horse but i do think that they ran screaming from Constitution Hill, the commentator said `this is the best mare`s hurdle that has ever been run` and thats because no one wanted to run in the champion hurdle, it may be that we will never see the best of Constitution Hill because the trainers of the better horses will never want to put their best horses against him, just look at the champion hurdle field today its been over thirty years since only 7 horses ran in it, they will never find a way of beating the horse if they are too cowardly to run against him.

[@morafiq73]

Massive well done to Honeysuckle - great showing once again but not looking forward to the "isn't Rachel Blackmore incredible " nonsense! Honeysuckle could give any jockey good wins whereas Blackmore can't get extra from most horses in comparison to other jockeys.

[@evanblack9914]

🙄So 'any jockey' could have six Cheltenham winners as she did at the 2021 Festival? Makes you wonder why they don't bother....

[@robertdelacy3434]

She gave her a great you fool

[@morafiq73]

@@evanblack9914 any jockey can have a hot season. Last season she was way below that and 1 of her wins was due to Galopin Des Champs fallimg/slipping and then this year she's been way off the pace.

[@morafiq73]

@@robertdelacy3434 the whole racing public knew today Honeysuckle would run with the pace as that's how the jockey was told to ride - any jockey could follow instructions. Honeysuckle attitude won the race.

[@evanblack9914]

@@morafiq73 this season she's riding at 14% hit rate. Hardly 'way off the pace'. Paul Townend is at 18%

[@bensc260]

What on earth is she doing bringing up the death of their son and comparing it to the death of their son absolutely diabolical she should be taken off air racing uk!!!

[@seanfeeney6014]

It's called empathy Ben... as Kenny Alexander is fun not real life.. the interviewer sees and feels that.. you obviously don't...

[@seanfeeney6014]

Sorry Ben ,should be. .. as Kenny Alexander said, this ( racing) is fun..

[@bensc260]

@@seanfeeney6014 what I'm saying is I don't think that was done in a empathetic way, she basically pitted the death of a child to a horse winning a race hence his reaction. What I'm saying is I feel it was done in extremely bad taste.

[@bensc260]

@@seanfeeney6014 I think your missing my point I think she did it in a really distasteful way to bring that up like that and get an answer from someone a close family friend commenting on the death of their son with such emotions running around. I think he handled the situation absolutely brilliantly and with class but I don't think she did.