Portugal Colonial - Blackmore adds another golden chapter to her history-making career

The 32-year-old Irish jockey became the first woman rider to win the Champion Hurdle -- which she won for a second time on Tuesday -- the Grand National and the Gold Cup.

She is the first jockey to complete the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup double at the Festival since AP McCoy in 1997.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead repeated his feat of last year by training the first two horses as defending champion Minella Indo was second.

Protektorat -- co-owned by former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson -- finished third.

For Blackmore it made up for last year's disappointment when she chose A Plus Tard ahead of Minella Indo and was second.

Another bonus was that, unlike last year when no crowds were permitted due to Covid-19 restrictions, there was a record attendance of almost 74,000. The four days drew a record 280,627.

Blackmore crossed the line 15 lengths clear and raised her head skywards in joy, before hugging and patting A Plus Tard.

"I cannot believe it!" said Blackmore.

"I am so lucky to be attached to Henry de Bromhead and look at what he has provided me with.

"You have all these plans in sport but racing has a habit of wrecking them," she said. "Then there are days like these when they come to fruition.

"I never even dreamt I could be doing this," said Blackmore.

"You can never dream too big and I thought this would never be possible."

- 'A kind person' -

Blackmore was showered with praise by former riding greats Ruby Walsh, McCoy and Mick Fitzgerald.

"She is the type of role model the sport needs," said Walsh. "She is box office."

De Bromhead -- who teamed up with Blackmore to win the Champion Hurdle for a second successive year -- said he could not grasp what he had achieved.

"No, definitely not," said the 49-year-old Irishman.

"This is just incredible, amazing! Fair play to everyone involved. I am delighted for these guys," he said, referring to the Thompson family, owners of Cheveley Park Stud.

He said Blackmore was "so brave, she kept sitting and sitting", adding "the pace A Plus Tard showed was just incredible."

Blackmore's father Charles was on the racecourse to watch with her brother Jonathan -- who had flown in from the United States -- and sister Charlotte.

"This is a moment of a lifetime to be here and watch her win this. To have all the family here, apart from Eimir (Blackmore's mother), who was holding the fort at home, is just incredible.

"I can't quite believe what she has done over the last 12 months," said Charles Blackmore.

"She is such a kind person.

"She speaks to everyone and gives everyone a bit of her time but she also knows when to draw the line."

Blackmore said his daughter -- who often after a day's racing will help her father on the family farm -- was diplomacy personified.

"I don't know how she does it but she is able to balance riding the horse, deal with owners and trainers and the press," he said.

"She gets a balance that doesn't upset anyone which is a hard thing to achieve."

Blackmore's victory in the feature race was part of a day of domination by Irish horses.

They swept all seven races to win the annual battle with their British rivals 18-10 and take the Prestbury Cup.

Willie Mullins won five of those seven to finish as top trainer for a ninth time and with a personal record 10 winners -- his first choice rider Paul Townend won the jockey's honours with five.

A.P.Maia--PC