The nice and good of the racing world have paid tribute to star jockey Rachael Blackmore following her announcement final evening (12 Might) that she has retired from race-riding.
Rachael, 35, bows out after an exceptional profession that boasts the 2021 Grand Nationwide, the Cheltenham Gold Cup (2022), two Champion Hurdles (2021 and 2022) and the Queen Mom Champion Chase (2024). A outstanding feat for any prime athlete – and Rachael was the primary lady to win them.
“My days of being a jockey have come to an finish,” mentioned Rachael. “I really feel the time is correct. I’m unhappy however I’m additionally extremely grateful for what my life has been for the previous 16 years.
“I simply really feel so fortunate, to have been legged up on the horses I’ve, and to have skilled success I by no means even dreamt could possibly be attainable.”
Her main victories additionally included 33 Grade Ones, three Irish Champion Hurdles (all aboard Honeysuckle), 18 Cheltenham Competition winners – the final of those was with Bob Olinger within the Stayers’ Hurdle on the 2025 Competition.
Her seminal 12 months got here in 2021, for which she was voted BBC Sports activities Persona’s world sport star of the 12 months and topped Eire’s sportswoman of the 12 months. Her main rider title on the Cheltenham Competition with six wins was adopted by her historic triumph within the Grand Nationwide aboard Minella Occasions.
“I don’t really feel male or feminine proper now, I don’t even really feel human,” she mentioned in her successful interview at Aintree.
Her remaining trip was a successful one – partnering Ma Belle Etoile to victory in a novice hurdle for long-term supportive coach Henry de Bromhead; Rachael’s 576th winner.
The coach shared an image of the 2 of them along with the caption: “The top of an period. Thanks, Rachael Blackmore, for every part.”
Retired prime jockey Barry Geraghty despatched Rachael “big congratulations and one of the best of luck” on retirement “following an incredible profession”.
“An extremely proficient horsewoman, an excellent competitor and one of the dedicated jockeys you may ever trip towards,” he mentioned. “Good to see you get out by yourself phrases.”
Broadcaster Jane Mangan, who loved success as an novice jockey, mentioned that “we will solely contemplate ourselves fortunate to have witnessed her achievements in our lifetime”, including:” She didn’t simply break glass ceilings – she painted the entire rattling sky.”
Rachael mentioned the “individuals to thank are infinite”.
“Firstly, my mother and father who offered me with one of the best childhood and a pony I couldn’t maintain! This set the seed for a lifetime of racing,” she mentioned Rachael.
“Aidan Kennedy gave me my first trip in a point-to-point. I hung out using out for Arthur Moore and Pat Doyle, which I cherished. Sam Curling and Liam Lennon had been additionally large supporters, as was Denise O’Shea, John Nicholson, Ellmarie Holden, Harry Smyth and Gigginstown Home Stud.”
Rachael rode her first winner in 2011, Stowaway Pearl for Shark Hanlon, and turned skilled 4 years later.
She credit Shark for serving to her turn into Irish champion conditional in 2017, and added: “I can be for ever grateful to Shark for getting behind me, supporting me and believing in me when it could have been simply as straightforward to look elsewhere. He was the catalyst for what was to come back.”
Shark thanked Rachael for “all she’s performed for me over the previous few years”.
“She’s had an unbelievable profession and we want her one of the best sooner or later,” he mentioned.
Rachael mentioned a dialog in a taxi on the way in which to Aintree with Eddie O’Leary, of Gigginstown Home Stud, “took my profession to an entire new stage”.
“Eddie acquired me within the door at Knockeen, and what got here subsequent was unimaginable: Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard, Minella Indo, Captain Guinness, Bob Olinger, Minella Occasions, amongst many others… all with one factor in widespread – Henry de Bromhead,” she mentioned.
“He’s an exceptional coach, who introduced out one of the best in me. With out Henry, my story could be very completely different.”
Rachael additionally thanked her sponsors, agent Garry Cribbin and supervisor Rebecca Matthews. She additionally credited champion coach Willie Mullins “who offered me with success all through my profession”.
“To all of the group in [the de Bromhead yard at] Knockneen, who do such unbelievable work taking care of all of the horses, with out you and all of the steady workers throughout the nation, winners don’t occur,” she mentioned.
“To Davy Roche, whose assist was invaluable once I was privileged sufficient to have a selection in a race. To all of the superb docs, surgeons and physios who taken care of me over time.To all of the fantastic homeowners who trusted me and gave me the chance to do what I like doing. To everybody I shared the weigh room with, I’ll miss being in there with you. To all my nice mates – you made successful particular.”
On her accomplice, Brian Hayes, she mentioned that he “gained’t get pleasure from getting a point out, however he was extra essential to my profession than I’ll ever be capable of thank him for”.
She mentioned: “It’s daunting not with the ability to say that I’m a jockey any extra… who even am I now! However I really feel so extremely fortunate to have had the profession I’ve had.
“To have been in the precise place on the proper time with the precise individuals, and to have gotten on the precise horses – as a result of it doesn’t matter how good you might be with out them. They’ve given me one of the best days of my life and to them I’m most grateful.”
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Learn the way this thrilling race unfolded this afternoon
H&H senior information author
Lucy is an skilled information journalist, reporter and presenter. Since becoming a member of the Horse & Hound group in 2015, Lucy has reported from main world sporting occasions together with the Tokyo Paralympic Video games and a number of European Championships, in addition to Badminton, Burghley and London, to call just a few. She has coated present affairs and sports activities information throughout the complete spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, in addition to human and equine welfare, trade information and courtroom instances.
