Blackmore completes rare double on Ancient Sands

Rachael Blackmore completed the rare feat of riding a jumps and Flat winner at two different meetings in a day as Ancient Sands took the Dundalk Stadium — Light Up Your Night Handicap.

Blackmore edged one ahead (36-35) of Paul Townend in the jump jockeys’ championship when successful aboard Sir Benford Wales at Dowpatrick this afternoon, and then made the short trip down the road to partner the 9/1 chance under lights.

The John Kiely-trained gelding travelled really well to lead over a furlong out but needed a strong drive to hold off Bit Of Banter by half a length. Landsman kept on to finish a further two and a half lengths away in third.

The dual purpose ten-year-old was recording his 13th career win and his fifth here on the Polytrack surface at Dundalk.

Blackmore said , “He’s a phenomenal horse and John does a fantastic job with him. The one thing he did tell me was don’t hit the front too soon and I still didn’t really manage to do that but he was very good.

“That’s his fifth win in Dundalk and he’s a credit to his connections and it’s great to get on him.

“I’ve only had a handful of rides here. It rides quick but that’s what this horse wants.”