RACHAEL Blackmore became the first ever female rider to win the Leading Jockey Award at a Cheltenham Festival after she rode six winners this week.

Five of her six wins were in Grade 1s and she nominated Honeysuckle’s Champion Hurdle success as the highlight. After receiving the award, Blackmore said: “It’s unbelievable. I share a house with Paddy Mullins and he has got a McCoy trophy and we are going to have a Ruby trophy on the mantelpiece now which is very funny.