Trainer Henry de Bromhead joined Friday Night Racing on Off The Ball where he spoke about how his stable's partnership with jockey Rachael Blackmore took off.
De Bromhead and Blackmore have become fixtures in the winners' enclosure at the highest level particularly in the last two seasons.
Victories at Fairyhouse, Punchestown, Aintree, and the Cheltenham Festival have all come their way since 2017, De Bromhead told the story of how the partnership came to be.
"I was in a taxi going to Aintree with [Gigginstown House Stud manager] Eddie O'Leary," the Waterford trainer recalled.
"He just said to me, in his inimitable way, 'you should consider using Rachael Blackmore. She's a brilliant rider and works so hard' and his other various reasons.
"I went 'yeah sure,' she had ridden a couple for me at that stage and fell off one in Cheltenham one day.
"I was looking for someone at the time and I wanted someone who had a bit more experience because I had some younger riders who were brilliant but it just didn't work out."
Rachael Blackmore had a blistering start
The chance suggestion in a Liverpool taxi was an almost instant success despite beginning in the quieter part of the jumps season."So we said we'd give Rachael a go, it was the summer season and basically everything started winning," the trainer said.
"She was riding them all when they were winning and she was great to work with and it just went from there.
"At the time I think Noel Fehily was riding Monalee, he came over a few times to ride him but then she took the ride in February and the whole thing just developed from there and she just kept winning on them."
No need for instructions
All great teams rely on excellent communication and that of Blackmore and de Bromhead is no different. Although the trainer admits he has changed his pre-race style significantly over the years.
"I was probably too forceful in giving instructions before," reflected de Bromhead.
"You hear Ger Lyons say he has never given Colin Keane instructions. The reality is when you have these top riders that is their job.
"You might say 'what are you thinking?' and that would be it. If I had a strong view, I would put it across but generally we are thinking the same way anyway.
What led to this change in tactic, was it the emergence of Rachael Blackmore?
"It had something to do with it but it was probably before that," according to de Bromhead.
"Davy Russell started riding for us a lot and I definitely felt Davy Russell did not need or want to hear my view on what he was to do.
"That made me think about it and as you get more and more confident with your rider. When Rachael first started with us we were only getting going together.
"Not now though, she gives you so much confidence. They say the best jockey is the one that makes the fewest mistakes.
"When you are talking about horses racing there will always be mistakes and problems and whatever but you just get confident in your riders."
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