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Honeysuckle to retire after her run in the Mares' Hurdle

jon-vine
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Last updated: 08 Feb 2023
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Jon Vine 08 Feb 2023
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  • Breaking news surrounding three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Honeysuckle
  • Henry De Bromhead's star has been beaten twice this season
  • Peter Molony confirmed on Tuesday that Honeysuckle will have the final outing of her career in the 2023 Mares' Hurdle
honeysuckle
Rachael Blackmore on Honeysuckle celebrates after winning their second Champion Hurdle. (Getty)

Three-time Cheltenham Festival winner, Honeysuckle will be retired to stud following a run in the 2023 Mares' Hurdle.

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Henry De Bromhead's mare has been one of the stars of the National Hunt game for six years. Following a winning debut under rules at Fairyhouse in November 2018, Honeysuckle put together a stunning sequence of 16 successive victories - a run which included 11 Grade One wins and three victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

Kenny Alexander's star claimed her first Cheltenham victory in the 2020 Mares' Hurdle, defeating Willie Mullins' Benie Des Dieux. The last two seasons have seen Honeysuckle dominate the two mile division, thrashing her rivals in both the 2021 and 2022 Champion Hurdles.

Honeysuckle's unbeaten run ended on her reappearance this season in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle, where she was beaten into third behind Teahupoo and Klassical Dream. Despite calls for her to be retired following that defeat, Rachael Blackmore's mount took her chance in the Irish Champion Hurdle, where Honeysuckle held on to finish second behind the impressive State Man.

Again, many expected Honeysuckle would sail off to the paddocks following that defeat at Leopardstown. Yet, connections have decided to roll the dice one last time. Alexander's racing manager, Peter Molony confirmed this week that Honeysuckle will have her retirement party at Cheltenham, where she will run in the Mares' Hurdle - relinquishing her Champion Chase crown.

Peter Molony tweeted, "One last hurrah for Honeysuckle! Barring accidents, injury, illness or extremes of ground she will be prepared for another tilt at The Close Brothers Mares Hurdle Gd1 at Cheltenham on Tuesday 14th of March."

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Honeysuckle ridden by Rachael Blackmore on the way to winning the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 10, 2020. (Getty)

Molony expanded further when talking to the Press Association. "The whole day on Sunday, strangely enough, even though we got beat, was one of the best days we've had on a racecourse with Honey."

"The reception she got, the cheer when Rachael got legged up, the roars as she cantered down to the start - Rachael said when she got down to the start she had a stupid grin on her face from the huge reception they got.

"Then the reception when she came back - it was humbling and phenomenal. It was a wonderful day apart from the fact we got beat."

"I think after Sunday, on mature reflection, most reasonable people would agree she has taken a step back."

"She still fought her heart out and when Vauban came to take second off her she put her head down and her ears back and went 'not on your life'.

"So she still has that competitive spirit, she's still a racehorse and that's why we've decided to give her one last hurrah. She deserves it and Cheltenham would be a lovely place to bow out."

Honeysuckle is now the 9/4 favourite to win the 2023 Mares' Hurdle with bet365. Nicky Henderson's duo of Marie's Rock and Epatante sit closest to the market leader, with Brandy Love, Love Envoi and Echoes In Rain featuring at the head of a congested market.

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