RACHAEL BLACKMORE is out ‘for weeks’ with no set return date – after injuring her neck in a fall that drew screams from the crowd.
The Grand National icon was riding Henry De Bromhead-trained Hand Over Fist in the Get Ready For Autumn Handicap Chase at Downpatrick in Ireland last Friday.
Blackmore was leading the pack two fences from the finish when she was unseated and came down heavily.
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Screams from those watching could be heard on Racing TV coverage, as Blackmore suffered a crunching fall.
Fortunately the horse, a seven-year-old gelding, was unharmed and trotted off after the incident.
In a statement on Monday, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board confirmed that she had suffered a neck injury and would undergo rehabilitation.
It read: “Following a fall at Downpatrick on Friday Rachael Blackmore has sustained a neck injury and will not ride in the coming weeks, while she undergoes rehabilitation for her injury.”
The 35-year-old’s exact diagnosis was not made clear in the statement.
And it is not known for how long she will need to rest, with the jumps season about to kick off.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was due for four intended rides at Listowel on Sunday and three on Monday, as well as Kerry National day on Wednesday.
However, her injury means she missed the former and will be absent from the latter.
De Bromhead is set to be represented by Amirite and Toss Again in the Guinness Kerry National.
Blackmore had ridden Amirite on 11 of the horse’s 13 previous starts, but in her absence, Darragh O’Keeffe will take to the saddle.
Meanwhile, Mike O’Connor has been declared to ride Toss Again.
It is a disappointing stage of what has been another successful year for Blackmore, who furthered her legacy with a pair of winners at Cheltenham earlier in 2024.
Victories with Captain Guinness in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Slade Steel in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle gave her 16 career wins at the Festival.
These include the 2022 Gold Cup with A Plus Tard, the 2021 Champion Bumper with Sir Gerhard, and the 2021 and 2022 Champion Hurdles, both on the since-retired Honeysuckle.
Honeysuckle retired from racing following the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, leaving behind an untouchable legacy.
She was sold to Rathmore Stud in 2018 for €110,000, and was trained by Henry De Bromhead.
She won 17 of her 19 races with the legendary trainer.
Back in March, Honeysuckle gave birth to her first foal, as was revealed by Peter Molony, Rathmore Stud racing manager to owner Kenny Alexander.
And at the start of June, Molony shared another update, that Blackmore had reunited with Honeysuckle during a visit to the Stud.
He shared pics of the Tipperary star with her former partner-in-crime, as well as with Honeysuckle’s foal, to social media.
He said: “Guess who came to visit? #Honeysuckle #rathmorestud @rachaelblackmor @HenrydeBromhead Showing off!!”
Henry De Bromhead himself responded: “Our 2 favourite ladies and a baby…”
