Historic Champion Hurdle double for Derby Sale graduate Honeysuckle
It was another awesome performance from Derby Sale graduate Honeysuckle, as she powered home to land the Grade 1 Unibet Champion Hurdle for the second year in a row. In front of a huge crowd, it was a moment to cherish for winning connections Kenneth Alexander, Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore to see the eight-year-old maintain her unbeaten record of 15 starts, including 11 Grade 1 races, and become the first mare to win the Champion Hurdle twice.
Honeysuckle, a daughter of Sulamani and bred by Dr G W Guy, was sold for €9,500 at the Derby Sale by Doug Proctor’s The Glanvilles Stud to Mark O’Hare.
Constitution Hill put in a remarkable performance to secure victory in the Grade 1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the opening race of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. The five-year-old travelled so well throughout the race to win by 22 lengths for Michael Buckley, Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.
The son of Rathbarry Stud’s Blue Bresil was sold for €16,500 at the November NH Sale by Throckmorton Court Stud to Warren Ewing and Barry Geraghty.
Stattler romped home to win the Grade 2 Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockey’s Novices’ Chase for Ronnie Bartlett, Willie Mullins and Patrick Mullins.
The five-year-old Doctor Dino gelding bred by Cyril O'Hara was offered at the February NH Sale for €20,000 by Ennel Bloodstock.