Hanlon's delight at Blackmore's success Shark Hanlon was thrilled to see Rachael Blackmore secure a maiden victory as a professional jockey at Clonmel last Thursday. Blackmore, who has been based with Hanlon for seven years, steered 11-2 shot Most Honourable to a narrow triumph in the Woodrooff Handicap Hurdle at Powerstown Park. Hanlon expects Blackmore to get plenty of opportunities having advertised her talents. He said: "She had been riding horses in point-to-points, but was too light to be riding some of them and it was easier to get a fall. "She has been in my yard for seven years. I didn't have much for her to ride in point-to-points and earlier in the year I said to her that I thought she should 'turn'. "I told her I'd support her as much as I can and she's flying now. She had four rides in Cork last week, two at Clonmel on Thursday and another two at Kilbeggan on Friday - that's more than most of the lads are getting at the moment. "I'm delighted for her as she's a very good rider and is a super worker to have in the yard. "If you tried to make it up about Most Honourable you couldn't, as he sent Andrew (McNamara) off (to retirement) on a winner and then gave Rachael her first winner as a professional. "He's also the first horse owned by Daniel Mulhare, from Mayo, and cost just 600 quid."
