Honeysuckle (156) won the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, ending her phenomenal career with a victory that marked her fourth victory at the festival and one of the all-time greats. Although the mare had shown a drop in form, she demonstrated all the qualities that made her one of the most loved and admired mares of the modern era. Ever-loyal jockey Rachael Blackmore had Honeysuckle positioned in second throughout tracking the front-running Love Envoi (155), and the brave mare responded to every urging of her rider to gallop up the Cheltenham hill one more time, going to the bottom of the well and digging deep to edge her way to a titanic one-and-a-half-length triumph. Honeysuckle signs off with a total of 17 wins in her 19 career starts, and her owner has confirmed she will retire.

The Cheltenham Festival ended on a high note for Honeysuckle and her team, including trainer Henry de Bromhead, jockey Rachael Blackmore, and owner Kenny Alexander. Honeysuckle won the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, marking a perfect end to her career before retirement. De Bromhead and his family have had a tough year, losing their son Jack in a tragic pony racing accident, but the reception after the race reflected the genuine affection for them and their success with Honeysuckle.

De Bromhead felt justified in letting Honeysuckle bow out against her own sex after Constitution Hill’s breathtaking display in the Champion Hurdle earlier in the afternoon. He praised Honeysuckle’s bravery and resilience, stating that she rarely knows when she’s beaten and that she read the script.

Alexander confirmed that Honeysuckle would be retired after her victory, calling it his best day in racing. He acknowledged that she wasn’t the greatest ever hurdler, but she was one of the bravest and most loved. Blackmore paid tribute to Honeysuckle, praising her phenomenal talent and thanking her for what she had done for her and everyone involved.

While it will be different without Honeysuckle at Cheltenham next year, her victory was a fairytale ending to a remarkable career, and her team and fans will always cherish the memories she created.