Kildare minister pays tribute to retiring Blackmore as "one of the greats"

Kildare South TD and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, who has direct responsibility for horseracing, has paid tribute to Rachael Blackmore as "one of the greats".

In a 16-year career in the saddle, the Tipperary rider won the Aintree Grand National in 2021 on Minella Times as well as the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard in 2022 - the first female jockey to win either.

The 35-year-old had 18 victories in total at the Cheltenham Festival, and was also the first woman to be leading jockey at Prestbury Park five years ago.

Her last race was a winner at Cork on Henry de Bromhead's Ma Belle Etoile on Saturday last.

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Mr Heydon said: "I want to pay tribute to one of the greats of national hunt racing Rachael Blackmore on the announcement of her retirement from what has been a glittering career. The list of achievements including her famous success in the 2021 Aintree Grand National ensure Rachael’s place in history.

"We’ll never forget her magnificent win on Minella Times in the world’s most famous steeplechase as well as has seeing her claim the Cheltenham Gold Cup, one of 18 Cheltenham festival victories. Taking the leading jockey accolade in Cheltenham 5 years ago was yet another milestone she achieved. 

"Rachael’s legacy wasn’t just in race wins, but as a role model for a whole generation of jockeys both female and male. In a sport where men and women complete on a level playing she excelled and is a fantastic ambassador for the horse racing and breeding industry.

"Her singular dedication brought her from ponies, to the point to point world, to Shark Hanlon’s yard where she rode her first winner and became Champion Conditional rider, which then led onto Henry de Bromhead’s stables where she achieved so much in Ireland and beyond. 

"I would like to thank Rachael for all of the joy that she brought to so many, for representing all that is good in the Irish horse racing and breeding industry and congratulate her on being one of Ireland’s greatest ever sports stars and horse racing ambassadors. 

"I wish her the very best in the next chapter of her life, sure in the knowledge that she will be successful with whatever ventures she undertakes next."