The Festival Preview Magazine 2020

 Kennedy, a man of few words, seemed excited for me! “The reception was different too. A Plus Tard was favourite and got roared back in, while Minella Indo was clapped in.” Did you celebrate this winner better, seeing as The Festival was finished? “No!” she exclaims, cringing and chuckling at the same time. “I was gone before the last race. I was riding in Down Royal the next day so I was out the gap quickly.” She frowns slightly. “I’m not sure I’d do that again though.” Speaking as the man who gave up his seat in an early morning taxi to one Paul Townend, after eventually finding him and pulling him and his Magners Gold Cup out of bed before sunrise that Saturday morning I think she should have stayed. Townend rode a winner in Down Royal, Blackmore didn’t. It’s a strange game at times. She was chasing the championship at the time. Did she enjoy that? She purses her lips. “Yes and no. I enjoyed leading it, that was a kick. But I never really believed I could win it. The coverage was overblown, particularly in July! But I do realise why.” Her total of 90 winners would have taken the title in 2014-15 and was higher than four of the last five second-place totals. It was an impressive haul, and not just because she wears a bra and knickers instead of boxers. H ONEYSUCKLE was back for the mares’ novice Grade 1 in Fairyhouse. “Strangely, I felt more pressure riding her that day than any race all season. She was expected to win, it was a Grade 1, she was after missing The Festival. And I wasn’t sure down the back straight how well she was going. But once I gave her a squeeze to the second-last she picked up and flew. My parents were there too, which was great.” Aintree was next on the list of achievements with Moon Over Germany blitzing his rivals around the Mildmay course. Russell was unable to do the weight so Blackmore was given the call. Bullseye again. Midas would have been envious of her golden touch last spring. Last on the merry-go-round of festivals was Punchestown. Her title challenge had run aground by this stage but Minella Indo crossed the line with only daylight in front once again. A third Grade 1 for Blackmore and the honour of being the last jockey to defeat Ruby Walsh in competitive action. What was it like seeing Ruby retire? “It was happy and sad at the same time. Sad to see him go because he’s always been there, in my memory, but happy to see him go out as he did.” Did you enjoy the season? She pauses again, scrunches her face, tilts her head, swings her

‘Racing doesn’t allow you to enjoy the moment. The next day is constantly on your mind. It’s just how it is’

ponytail and looks off over my right shoulder for a short while. “Yes and no.” Pause. I’m beginning to notice a recurring theme to these answers. She is much the same ordering food. “When you’re doing these things you don’t enjoy them as much as you’d think,” she says slowly, leaning her elbows on her knees. “It’s always about the next day. Racing doesn’t allow you to enjoy the moment because it’s constant. There’s no final to play and then the off-season. The weekend after The Festival we have racing. After the Grand National we have racing. After the season finishes in Punchestown, two days later you’re racing again, it’s a new season and we’re back to zero. “The initial moment is always satisfying but you’re never really content with it. The  Recognition after an incredible year with the National Hunt trophy at the 2019 HRI Awards

12 The Festival March 2020

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