Girl power can triumph at Fairyhouse

Rachael Blackmore's sustained progress since becoming a professional ranks as one of the best stories in Irish racing over the the past year or so.

For all the success enjoyed by Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh as two of the best amateurs of their generation, the time was well overdue for a female role-model to become established as a professional.

Blackmore has been supported by a very wide range of trainers as her talent has become obvious, but it is only fitting that several women in the training ranks have shown confidence in her.