Rachael Blackmore, born on July 11, 1989, in Killenaule, County Tipperary, Ireland, is a retired Irish National Hunt jockey famed for her groundbreaking achievements in horse racing. She made records through turning into the primary lady jockey to win the Grand National in 2021 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022.
Blackmore’s illustrious profession consists of a couple of victories on the Cheltenham Festival and severa Grade 1 wins. In May 2025, at the age of 35, she announced her retirement from expert racing, leaving at the back of a legacy that has stimulated infinite people in the international field of sports activities.
Early Life and Entry into Racing
Childhood and Education
Rachael Blackmore grew up on a dairy farm in Killenaule, County Tipperary. Her father, Charles, became a dairy farmer, and her mother, Eimir, became a schoolteacher. From a younger age, Blackmore became immersed in equestrian activities, taking part in pony membership meetings, hunting, eventing, and pony racing. She pursued a diploma in equine technology at the University of Limerick, balancing her instructional research together along with her ardour for horse driving.
Amateur Beginnings
Blackmore rode her first winner as an novice jockey on February 10, 2011, aboard Stowaway Pearl at Thurles. During her novice profession, she secured eleven factor-to-factor victories and 7 wins under the Rules of Racing. In March 2015, she grew to become expert, marking the start of a outstanding adventure in National Hunt racing.
Career Milestones and Achievements
Grand National Triumph
In April 2021, Rachael Blackmore made records through turning into the primary lady jockey to win the Grand National, driving Minella Times to victory. This enormous success shattered a 182-12 months-antique gender barrier in the game.
Cheltenham Festival Success
Blackmore’s fulfillment at the Cheltenham Festival is unparalleled. In 2021, she became the primary lady jockey to be the main rider on the festival, securing six wins, inclusive of the Champion Hurdle aboard Honeysuckle.
In 2022, she persevered her dominance through triumphing the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, turning into the primary girl to obtain this feat.
Other Notable Victories
Throughout her profession, Blackmore accrued severa Grade 1 victories, inclusive of:
Champion Hurdle (2021, 2022)
Irish Champion Hurdle (2020, 2021, 2022)
Queen Mother Champion Chase (2024)
Stayers’ Hurdle (2025)
Ryanair Chase (2023)
Her partnerships with horses like Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard, and Minella Times have ended up mythical in the racing community.
Retirement and Legacy
In May 2025, Rachael Blackmore announced her retirement from expert horse racing at the age of 35. In her statement, she expressed gratitude to her family, trainers, and supporters who performed pivotal roles in her profession. She paid a unique tribute to instructor Shark Hanlon, who became instrumental in her early fulfillment. Blackmore defined her profession as an exquisite enjoyment packed with achievements she by no means dreamed possible.
Her retirement marks the end of a generation in National Hunt racing, however her impact keeps encouraging aspiring jockeys and sports activities lovers worldwide.
Post-Racing Endeavors
Literary Pursuits
Following her retirement, Blackmore ventured into writing, co-authoring a kid’s book titled “Granny National” with Rachel Pierce. The book, which took 3 years to complete, tells the tale of a younger female named Rachael who enables her grandmother to obtain her dream of turning into a jockey. It displays Blackmore’s ardour for storytelling and her choice to encourage the following generation.
Advocacy and Ambassadorship
Blackmore has been a prop for ladies in sports activities, serving as an envoy for agencies like The Jockey Club and KPMG Ireland. Her function includes enticing with communities, selling horse racing, and provoking younger people to pursue their dreams, no matter gender.
Personal Life
Rachael Blackmore is in a courting with fellow jockey Brian Hayes. The couple stocks a domestic in Carlow, Ireland, with rival rider Patrick Mullins. Their shared ardour for horse racing and mutual aid were crucial to their respective careers.
How many races has Rachael Blackmore won?
As of her retirement in May 2025, Rachael Blackmore has carried out a complete 575 professional wins from 4,566 starts, reflecting a win charge of about 13% .
Racing and Sports
Her illustrious profession consists of:
18 victories on the Cheltenham Festival, highlighting her dominance in one in every one of the game’s most prestigious events .
Historic wins inclusive of the 2021 Grand National aboard Minella Times, making her the primary lady jockey to win the race.
A landmark victory in the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup driving A Plus Tard, in addition cementing her vicinity in racing records.
Blackmore’s achievements have now no longer handiest set information however additionally paved the manner for extra inclusion and popularity of ladies in horse racing.
Rachael Blackmore Net worth
As of May 2025, Rachael Blackmore’s genuine net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, estimates advise it exceeds €9 million, by and large from her professional income and commercial enterprise ventures.
Final Thoughts
Rachael Blackmore’s adventure from a dairy farm in County Tipperary to the top of horse racing is a testimony to her determination, skill, and ardour. Her anciental victories and trailblazing profession have now no longer handiest redefined the game however have additionally stimulated infinite people to pursue their dreams, no matter the limitations they’ll face. As she embarks on new endeavors past the racetrack, Blackmore’s legacy keeps resonating, embodying the spirit of perseverance and excellence.
FAQs
When did Rachael Blackmore retire from expert racing?
Rachael Blackmore introduced her retirement from expert horse racing in May 2025 at the age of 35, concluding a 16-12 months illustrious profession.
What is the kid’s book “Granny National” about?
“Granny National” is a kid’s book co-authored through Rachael Blackmore and Rachel Pierce. The tale follows a younger female named Rachael who enables her grandmother to obtain her dream of turning into a jockey, reflecting subject matters of perseverance and following one’s dreams.
Who is Brian Hayes in terms of Rachael Blackmore?
Brian Hayes is an expert jockey and the accomplice of Rachael Blackmore. They were in a courting for numerous years and proportionally a domestic in Carlow, Ireland.
What effect has Rachael Blackmore had on horse racing?
Rachael Blackmore has significantly impacted horse racing by breaking gender barriers and setting new standards for excellence. Her achievements have inspired many and have contributed to increased visibility and opportunities for women in the sport.
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