Pioneering Blackmore completes Roscommon double

Rachael Blackmore completed a double at Roscommon today as the Jockeys' Championship leader partnered I Keano to win the Roscommon Racecourse Handicap Hurdle for trainer Denise O'Shea.

The son of Gold Well was today tackling three miles for the first time since his unsuccessful point to point days and having been returned the a well backed 12/1 chance (from 25s this morning), went on to record a three and three parts of a length win over The Broom Squire

Blackmore is the first woman to ever lead a senior Irish Jockeys' Championship at this early juncture and the win moved her six winners clear of next-best Danny Mullins (20-14).

Trainer O'Shea, a big supporter of the jockey, later reported “I'm delighted for Ger O'Leary (owner) as he has been a friend of mine since we were kids and we've always been around horses together. Since I've started training he's always been tipping away riding and schooling and has always been inside the yard. He puts an awful lot of work into the horse.

“He had a great run for us the first day but then ran in-and-out but was just very green. Rachael got back on him today and he wanted the trip and she gave him a cracking ride and we're very lucky to have her.

“He's definitely a horse we like and he'll tip away in hurdles but his future is over fences. It makes the long journey up a bit shorter!”

I Keano is the comedy musical play about footballer Roy Keane's exit from the Republic of Ireland national football team before the 2002 World Cup.

Quotes from Gary Carson