Grade 1 dominance for Derby Sale graduates at Cheltenham as Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore make history

Derby Sale graduates dominated the first day of the Cheltenham Festival winning all four Grade 1 races.

It was a superb start to the Cheltenham Festival with Derby Sale graduate Appreciate It securing victory in the Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Trained by Willie Mullins, the seven-year-old defeated his rivals by an impressive 24 lengths.

Sold for €60,000 at the Derby Sale by Sladoo Farm to Suirview Stables, he was also sold as a foal at the November National Hunt Sale for €18,500 from Charel Park Stud.

Derby Sale graduate Shishkin powered home in the Grade 1 Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase, adding this brilliant win to his unbeaten record over fences for trainer Nicky Henderson.

Sold for €28,000 by Goldford Stud to Boyne Farm at the 2017 Derby Sale, the son of Sholokhov was sold prior to this as a foal at the November NH Sale by Rathbarry Stud to Ben Case. He was also sold at the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale by Virginia Considine to Highflyer Bloodstock for £170,000.

Rachael Blackmore created history today when becoming the first female jockey to win the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Honeysuckle. The Derby Sale graduate Honeysuckle maintained her unbeaten record with a massive performance for trainer Henry De Bromhead and owner Kenneth Alexander.

Sold for €9,500 at the Derby Sale by Doug Proctor’s Glanville Stud to Mark O’Hare.

Black Tears battled hard to land the Grade 1 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle for Denise Foster, Jack Kennedy and owners Caren Walsh and John Lightfoot.

Sold for €36,000 at the Derby Sale by Kilmoney Cottage Stud to Bobby O’ Ryan.

Jeff Kidder pulled clear under Sean Flanagan to win the Grade 3 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for trainer Noel Meade.

Sold for €24,000 at the September Yearling Sale by Ballinavana House Stud to Peter Nolan Bloodstock.

Galvin made sure the first day of Cheltenham finished on a high for the Derby Sale when winning the Grade 2 National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase.

Sold for €34,000 by Castlefergus Stud on behalf of Gay O’ Gara to Ian Ferguson.

Congratulations to all winning connections!