On The Bit – The April Roundup
CHELTENHAM Festival star and Grand National winner Rachael Blackmore was on winning form once again at Fairyhouse Racecourse in Meath Ireland on 13 April. She steered Somtueux, trained by Henry de Bromhead to glory in the Follow Fairyhouse on Social Media Rated Novice Chase. The history-making jump jockey, the only woman to win at Cheltenham and Aintree’s National has been tapped for a first ride at the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris on 23 May aboard Ajas, trained by David Cottin.
Rachael Blackmore. Image credit: Horse Racing Ireland
The Ballylinch Stud Classic Trials Day on 11 April opened the flat racing season at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin Ireland. The annual predictor for the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas feature races were won respectively by Keeper of Time trained by John James Feane and Wexford trainer Jim Bolger’s Poetic Flare. Go racing online at https://www.leopardstown.com.
The Steeplechase de Paris will be taking place at Chantilly France. Image credit: France-Galop
Two of the UK’s leading jump jockeys, Harry Skelton and Brian Hughes are racing neck-and-neck to win the Jump Jockey’s Championship, the jumps season final race to determine the winner at Sandown Park on 24 April. The latest standings as of the April Meeting at Prestbury Park in Cheltenham were Harry Skelton with 141 races ahead of Brian Hughes on 139 races.
Expect racing at its finest at the Punchestown Festival. Image credit: Punchestown Racecourse
The Irish National Hunt season wraps up at the Punchestown Festival in a meeting of 40 races, including 12 Grade 1 contests from 27 April to 1 May. Among the featured races will be the William Hill Champion Steeplechase and the stamina-testing Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. Go racing at home at https://punchestown.com.
Essential Quality is among the favourites to win the Kentucky Derby. Image credit: Coady Photography
The 147th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on 1 May at Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky USA, capping 14 days at the Kentucky Derby Festival. The race kicks off the American Triple Crown of horse racing and is open to a field of 20 horses. Get up-to-date notices on hot favourites and all the prelude to the Run for the Roses at https://www.kentuckyderby.com.
Tags: Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris Leopardstown Racecourse Sandown Park Punchestown Festival Kentucky Derby
