Rachael Blackmore earns Honeysuckle fairytale ending in horse’s final race before retirement

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. It’s the result everybody wanted, but you’d daren’t believe that it will happen.” The County Waterford trainer felt justified in allowing Honeysuckle to bow out against her own sex following Constitution Hill’s breathtaking display in the Champion Hurdle earlier in the afternoon. But Honeysuckle rarely knows when she’s beaten and she read the script.” When asked if Honeysuckle’s racing career was definitely over, De Bromhead quipped: “I presume it is, but there is the Mares Champion Hurdle in Punchestown! “I’ll get a few drinks into Kenny later, Peter Molony will be in one ear saying ‘Walk In The Park’ and I’ll be in the other saying ‘walk to Punchestown!’.” open image in gallery Alexander, though, definitively confirmed his remarkable mare will be retired as he reflected on his “best ever day in racing”.