- Rachael Blackmore was also the first female jockey to win the Gold Cup, in 2022
- The Irishwoman will be remembered as a trailblazer and a quite brilliant jockey
Rachael Blackmore, the most successful female jump jockey in history whose exploits inspired a generation, has announced her retirement.
The 35-year-old, who became the first woman to win the Randox Grand National when she partnered Minella Times to success at Aintree in April 2021, posted on social media on Monday afternoon to confirm that her career is over.
Blackmore was a trailblazer who kept pushing the boundaries and she is one of a select few to have done the ‘Grand Slam’ at Cheltenham — the Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Stayers Hurdle.
She had associations with horses who became public favourites, such as Honeysuckle, the mare with whom she enjoyed four consecutive wins at the Festival from 2020 to 2023. In total, Blackmore rode 18 winners at Cheltenham, where she was leading rider in 2021.
But it was that day at Aintree, at a time when racecourses were spectator-free due to the impact of Covid-19, that saw her transcend the sport, her success on 11/1 shot Minella Times for trainer Henry de Bromhead and owner JP McManus leaving her to memorably say: ‘I don’t feel male or female now… I don’t even feel human.’
The most recent National Hunt season had been fractured by a serious neck injury she sustained last September, which led to her spending three months on the sidelines, but she returned at Christmas and the pinnacle of the campaign came when she rode a 152/1 double at Cheltenham, headed by one of her favourite horses, Bob Olinger, in the Stayers Hurdle.
Rachael Blackmore celebrates her historic 2021 Grand National triumph on board Minella Times
The 35-year-old, who rode 18 winners at Cheltenham, has decided to call time on her career
Blackmore, one of a select few to have done the ‘Grand Slam’ at Cheltenham, lifts the Gold Cup
In a statement, she said: ‘My days of being a jockey have come to an end. I feel the time is right. I’m sad but I am also incredibly grateful for what my life has been for the past 16 years. I just feel so lucky, to have been legged up on the horses I have and to have experienced success I never even dreamt could be possible.
‘The people to thank are endless. It’s not possible to mention everyone! Firstly my parents, who provided me with the best childhood and a pony I couldn’t hold… I rode my first winner for Shark Hanlon, who then helped me become Champion Conditional.
‘A conversation between Eddie O’Leary and Henry de Bromhead took my career to a whole new level. Henry has been a phenomenal trainer, who brought the best out of me. Without Henry, my story is very different.’
She went on: ‘It’s daunting, not being able to say that I am jockey anymore. Who even am I now?! But I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the career I’ve had. So many people have given me the best days of my life and to them, I am most grateful.’
Blackmore’s first winner was at Thurles, in February 2011, on Stowaway Pearl. The last of close to 600 victories came two days ago at Cork, for de Bromhead on mare called Ma Belle Etoile.
