Rachael Blackmore

Irish jump jockey who made history as the first female to win the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup, becoming Ireland's first female Champion Jockey

Born in Killenaule, County Tipperary, on July 11, 1989, Rachael Blackmore grew up in a family deeply connected to horse racing. Her father Charles trained point-to-point horses, while her mother Eimir worked as a teacher. Blackmore's early exposure to horses came through pony racing and hunting, experiences that laid the foundation for her exceptional riding skills. She studied equine science at the University of Limerick before committing fully to a professional racing career. Blackmore's rise through the ranks accelerated in the late 2010s, establishing herself as one of Ireland's most consistent jump jockeys. Her breakthrough came during the 2020-21 season when she achieved unprecedented success at the highest level. In March 2021, she became the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, riding Honeysuckle to victory. That same festival saw her claim the leading jockey award, another historic first for a woman. The season's pinnacle arrived at Aintree in April 2021, where she guided 11-1 shot Minella Times to victory in the Grand National, becoming the first female jockey to win the world's most famous steeplechase. Her Grand National triumph was witnessed by an estimated global television audience of 600 million viewers, cementing her place in sporting history. The victory represented the culmination of years of preparation and demonstrated the tactical acumen and physical courage required at racing's highest level. Blackmore's success extended beyond individual races, as she consistently ranked among Ireland's leading jockeys in terms of winners and prize money earned. Blackmore's achievements fundamentally changed perceptions within horse racing, proving that success at the sport's pinnacle is determined by skill rather than gender. Her technical excellence, combined with an intuitive understanding of racecraft and horse psychology, established new benchmarks for professional jockeys. Her influence extends beyond the weighing room, inspiring a new generation of female riders and demonstrating that barriers in traditional sports can be overcome through talent and determination.

Tactical and patient rider with exceptional race-reading ability

Broke multiple gender barriers in jump racing and inspired a new generation of female jockeys

• Grand National Winner 2021 (Minella Times)
• Champion Hurdle Winner 2021
• Cheltenham Festival Champion Jockey 2021
• First female Champion Jump Jockey in Ireland
• Irish Champion Jump Jockey 2021-22
• Gold Cup Winner 2022 (A Plus Tard)
• Irish Grand National Winner 2021 (Minella Times)