Blackmore calls time on iconic career

Rachael Blackmore stunned the racing world by calling time on her race-riding career on Monday at the age of 35.

It brings to an end the Killenaule natives sixteen year career in which she won 575 races as a professional, winning all the biggest races there are in the generally male dominated sport.

“My days of being a jockey have come to an end,” she wrote in a statement announcing her decision.

“I feel the time is right. I’m sad but I’m also incredibly grateful for what my life has been for the past sixteen 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.”

She added: “It is daunting, not being able to say that I am a jockey anymore… who even am I now!

“But I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the career I’ve had. To have been in the right place at the right time with the right people, and to have gotten on the right horses - because it doesn’t matter how good you are without them. They have given me the best days of my life and to them I am most grateful.”

2021 will go down as the highpoint in her career when she became the first female jockey to win the Aintree Grand National in the 182-year history of the race aboard Minella Times.

She also became the first woman to be leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival with six victories in 2021, including the Champion Hurdle, aboard the mare Honeysuckle. The following year she became the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup aboard A Plus Tard.

Blackmore's achievements saw her named the 2021 RTÉ Sports Person of the Year and the 2021 BBC World Sport Star of the Year.

Rachael rode her first winner for the enigmatic Shark Hanlon in 2009, which helped her to her first milestone becoming Champion Conditional jockey.

“A conversation between Eddie O’Leary and Henry de Bromhead in a taxi on the way to Aintree took my career to a whole new level,” Rachael added of her becoming stable jockey with de Bromhead, with the pair going into have incredible successes on the likes of two-time champion hurlers Honeysuckle, Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard, Grand National winner Minella Times, Champion Chase Captain Guinness, Stayers Hurdle winner Bob Olinger, Minella Indo, among many others.

“He’s a phenomenal trainer, who brought out the best in me. Without Henry, my story is very different,” she said of de Bromhead.

Rachael also thanked her parents who “provided me with the best childhood, and a pony I couldn’t hold! This set the seed for a life of racing.

“Aidan Kennedy gave me my first ride in a point to point.

“I spent time riding out for Arthur Moore and Pat Doyle which I loved.

“Sam Curling and Liam Lennon were also big supporters as was Denise O’ Shea, John Nicholson, Ellmarie Holden, Harry Smyth and Gigginstown House Stud.

“To my sponsors over the years. Dornan, KPMG, Volvo, Betfair, PCI Insurance, thank you for your support.

“To Garry Cribbin, who looked after me as my agent since day one with professionalism and friendship.

“To Rebecca Matthews who managed (and hopefully will continue to manage!) the non-horse related requests. To Willie Mullins who provided me with success throughout my career.

“To all the team in Knockeen who do such incredible work looking after all the horses, without you and all the stable staff across the country, winners don’t happen.

“To Davy Roche, who’s help was invaluable when I was privileged enough to have a choice in a race.

“To all the amazing doctors, surgeons and physios who looked after me over the years.

“To all the wonderful owners who trusted me and gave me the opportunity to do what I love doing.

“To everyone I shared the weigh room with, I’ll miss being in there with you.

“To all my great friends – you made winning special. Brian Hayes won’t enjoy getting a mention, but he was more important to my career than I’ll ever be able to thank him for.”