Rachael Blackmore: How pioneering Grand National-winning jockey changed horse racing

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Rachael Blackmore: How pioneering Grand National-winning jockey changed horse racing

While Blackmore has not outlined the reasons for her retirement, Walsh and Carberry stopped at similar ages before starting families.

They ended their careers with winners at Ireland’s showpiece Punchestown Festival and maybe Blackmore intended to do the same, but she unusually ended the recent meeting without a victory.

She suffered a bad neck injury in a fall earlier this season and only returned to action in December after three months out.

Blackmore took success for women to another level, competing for a historic Irish champion jockey title before twice finishing runner-up to Paul Townend.

Her achievements transcended racing. Victory in the National, watched by an estimated 500 million people worldwide, made headlines around the globe, and she was voted World Sport Star at the 2021 BBC Sports Personality awards.

“The support has been incredible. I got such a kick out of being on that list of nominees,” she said.

Those nominees included tennis star Novak Djokovic, boxing great Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and American football quarterback Tom Brady.

Blackmore, whose partner Brian Hayes is also a jockey, did not revel in the limelight – she preferred to get on with the business of riding winners – but spoke thoughtfully when interviewed.

De Bromhead said she was a great support after his 13-year-old son Jack died in a riding accident in September 2022.

The pair’s victory with Honeysuckle in the horse’s swansong in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2023 sparked jubilant and emotional scenes.

Spectators grabbed every vantage point to cheer the winner into the paddock. The roars were for the trainer and horse, but the rider too. Just mention the name ‘Rachael’ at the races, and everyone knew who you meant.

With Honeysuckle in the winner’s enclosure, a rainbow appeared on the horizon.

“We all wish a very special kid could be here today but he’s watching down on us,” said Blackmore.

Her partnership with Honeysuckle was a great match. Seventeen wins from 19 races, including four at the Cheltenham Festival. All with the same jockey on board.

Blackmore will be remembered for a series of firsts, and potentially paving the way for others.

“Ah, look, it’s brilliant, but I won’t be the last. I’m delighted for myself anyway,” she said after winning the National.

“I just hope it shows it doesn’t matter, male or female. Plenty of people have gone before me and done that – Katie Walsh was third here on Seabass. All those things help girls coming along, but I don’t think it’s a major talking point any more.”

When Blackmore won the Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, she earned praise from the Cheltenham Festival’s all-time leading rider Ruby Walsh.

“She’s inspiring kids everywhere. It’s incredible the interest she’s driving in the sport. You need role models like that for the sport and the industry, she’s box office,” he said.

While the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign, launched 10 years ago, encouraged more women to be active, Rachael Blackmore wanted to realise a dream of being at the summit of her sport. This girl did.

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