Most horse racing fans and pundits have run out of superlatives to describe Honeysuckle. The undefeated mare has been one of the standout performers of the last couple of years, and with every passing race comes another demonstration of her sensational qualities.
For trainer Henry de Bromhead, it’s been an unprecedented story of success, and it’s fair to say that Honeysuckle’s most impressive victories have come in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle. Having won it twice consecutively now with Rachael Blackmore in the saddle, Honeysuckle has become inextricably linked with the day one Cheltenham Festival showpiece, and you can understand the pride both Blackmore takes in the mare’s achievements.
“She’s an incredible mare,” the jockey said. “She decides in a race when she’s happy to go on. I haven’t stopped her from doing that yet! She always finds a way, she really does. I was kind of wider than I’d like everywhere, and maybe wasn’t as happy halfway round. But I just slotted in and we got our gap then. It was fantastic.
“Jockeys dream of getting on good horses, but she takes that to a whole new level. She’s special, she’s once in a lifetime, and I’m so lucky to be riding her.”
With the dust settling on Honeysuckle’s second successive Champion Hurdle triumph, the question now lies in whether or not the De Bromhead-trained mare can continue this sensational run of form. The next campaign is likely to be Honeysuckle’s last, and both De Bromhead and Blackmore will be desperate for the eight-year-old to go out with her unbeaten record still intact.
Indeed, the ultimate test of Honeysuckle’s legacy will come at next year’s Cheltenham Festival, where she will likely be going for a hat-trick of Champion Hurdle victories. That would be a sensational achievement, with five horses having done so in the past.
Competition will come in the form of Constitution Hill, who is being tipped by many to become one of the standout performers in jump racing over the next few years. The idea of both Honeysuckle and Constitution Hill battling it out in multiple races next season is a mouth-watering one for horse racing fans, as it’s fair to say Honeysuckle hasn’t been challenged all that closely in many of her races.
When it comes to the Champion Hurdle, it’s hard to make any guarantees that Honeysuckle will win for a third successive year, but many doubted her chances this year and were made to look awfully foolish. At the moment, the horse racing betting has Honeysuckle and Constitution Hill almost neck and neck, with the latter considered the slight favorite for the opening day’s feature race at next year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Whatever happens next season, De Bromhead and Blackmore can be proud of Honeysuckle’s achievements up to now. It’s been a remarkable run of success, and you wouldn’t be surprised if this incredible mare had a few more stunning performances to give between now and the end of her career.
A new challenger is emerging in the shape of Constitution Hill, but rule Honeysuckle out at your peril.
