Tag Archive for: Bronte Cup

Rachael Blackmore breaks new ground with Bronte Cup success

Rachael Blackmore enjoyed a perfect introduction to York racecourse as Term Of Endearment claimed Group Three glory in the William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes.

The rider has ticked all the main boxes in the National Hunt sphere, having won the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle, but victory in this one-mile-six-furlong contest represented her highest achievement on the level.

Trained by long-term ally Henry de Bromhead, Term Of Endearment triumphed in this company last term and was sent off a 4-1 shot on the Knavesmire, launching her challenge a couple of furlongs from home.

Night Sparkle made a good battle of it, with the pair getting very close which prompted a stewards’ inquiry, although Term Of Endearment was eventually confirmed as the three-quarter-length winner.

Blackmore told Racing TV: “It’s very cool to be asked to ride in the first place and a race of this calibre, it’s very special to be able to win it. I’m delighted.

“I was hopeful in the middle of the week that if I got to ride her she would have a right chance because there was so much rain, but it really dried up. After walking the track I wondered if the best of her would come out on that ground.

“She produced a really good run and seemed to be able to do it on that ground as well.

“That was her first time stepping up to that trip and maybe the nicer ground on that trip suited her fine. It’s just very cool to get a ride in Group Three race and even better to win.

“It’s very much a different type of riding (on the Flat), it’s just so different to what I do day to day – you’re learning different things all the time.”



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River Of Stars prevails in Bronte Cup battle

River Of Stars battled hard to take the William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes for Ralph Beckett at York.

The Sea The Stars four-year-old won a Listed race at Chester last season before heading to Doncaster and coming home fifth in the Park Hill Stakes.

On the latter occasion the winner was Mimikyu, the 3-1 favourite for the York rematch as River Of Stars went off at 4-1 under Rossa Ryan.

Ryan kept the filly near the front of the field of nine and in the home straight it was the two Doncaster rivals who locked horns, crossing the line almost in unison as a photo finish was required to identify Beckett’s horse as the short-head winner.

“It played out well, if it wasn’t her first run of the year I’d have probably let her roll along,” said the jockey.

“In the middle part of the race we filled up a lot, you can see from the top of the straight she was just being a bit lairy.

“Kieran’s horse (O’Neill, Mimikyu) has just dragged me into the race, she knew where the line was and she stuck it out well.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if she gets a small bit further but it’s worked out great.

“Ralph’s been aiming her at this for a while and it worked out lovely.

“She had a lot to turn around from the Park Hill with the winner, but she’s turned it round.

“She’s a light enough filly and I’d say she quite enjoyed that good ground, she’s just a bit on and off the bridle the whole way.

“If they don’t get away from her, like they didn’t today, she grinds it out well.

“She’s very versatile and it’s good for the owners, the team at home have done a great job, they’ve stuck faith in her and she’s paid them off.”



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