Advertisement
Rachael Blackmore is closing in on a riding return. David Davies for The Jockey Club

Rachael Blackmore hoping for Christmas comeback after months out with neck injury

Blackmore has been sidelined since suffering a neck injury in a fall at Downpatrick in late September.

HENRY DE BROMHEAD hopes to see Rachael Blackmore return to the saddle in the โ€œnext few weeksโ€.

The record-breaking Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National-winning rider has been sidelined since suffering a neck injury in a fall at Downpatrick in late September.

In her absence, Darragh Oโ€™Keeffe has come in for the majority of the rides aboard De Bromheadโ€™s horses, enjoying big-race success with the likes of Envoi Allen at Down Royal and Quilixios at Naas, as well as steering this weekendโ€™s Coral Gold Cup contender Senior Chief to a lucrative victory at Cheltenham.

The trainer has now issued a positive update on his stable jockeyโ€™s recovery, with a return to saddle expected before Christmas.

โ€œShe (Blackmore) was here the other day, it was great to see her, she looked great and seemed in really good form,โ€ he told Sky Sports Racing.

โ€œSheโ€™s obviously a bit frustrated, but it was great to see her down here. I think she is aiming for mid to end of December, Iโ€™m not quite sure yet โ€“ thereโ€™s no firm plans.

โ€œSheโ€™s working really hard to get back and as far as sheโ€™s concerned she could have come back about a month ago! But quite rightly, sheโ€™s taken the advice of all the doctors and hopefully sheโ€™ll be back in the next few weeks.โ€

De Bromhead also confirmed the King George VI Chase as the likely next port of call for Envoi Allen.

The 10-year-old proved the fire still burns bright when regaining his crown in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase earlier this month and now looks set for a second shot at Kemptonโ€™s Boxing Day showpiece, having disappointed as a leading contender two years ago.

De Bromhead said: โ€œHe was brilliant (at Down Royal), heโ€™s got some attitude and the way he keeps coming back is amazing.

โ€œHeโ€™s been in great form since and weโ€™re leaning strongly towards the King George. We havenโ€™t firmed anything up as yet, but we werenโ€™t right when he went two years ago โ€“ he didnโ€™t run his race at all โ€“ and weโ€™d love to have another crack at it. Heโ€™s definitely got the profile for it.โ€

Close
3 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MMD
    Favourite MMD
    Report
    Nov 28th 2024, 6:14 PM

    Go girl.. Has to be one of the very best athletes in the world.. One of a very few sports where there girls take on the boys on equal terms.. And NO there horse does not do all the work.. Willing and able to put all of those who think jockey is an adornment on a galloping jumping horse.. Nappies can be arranged

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Downey
    Favourite Downey
    Report
    Nov 28th 2024, 7:50 PM

    What a brilliant professional Rachel is! The sooner the better she is back. Rachel and Katie Taylor, we are blessed with 2 of the finest, not sure they get the credit they deserve.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Kennedy
    Favourite Joe Kennedy
    Report
    Nov 28th 2024, 9:29 PM

    Rachael backmore sooner than expected so?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel