logo
Trailblazing Rachael Blackmore smashed through racing's glass ceiling and opened doors for a whole new generation

Trailblazing Rachael Blackmore smashed through racing's glass ceiling and opened doors for a whole new generation

The Irish Sun12-05-2025

HISTORY maker Rachael Blackmore has retired from riding having won it all and transformed the sport.
Jump racing's queen won every big race imaginable, including her groundbreaking Grand National win on Minella Times in 2021.
Advertisement
2
Rachael Blackmore has retired from riding having won it all and transformed the sport
2
Blackmore paved the way for a new generation of jockeys
She became the first woman to win Aintree's famous race and smashed the glass ceiling several times over during her
There have been women riding over jumps for nearly 50 years, with Val Greaves the first ever to ride a National Hunt winner in 1978.
But the vast majority found it impossible to break through to a high level in the incredibly macho, male-dominated world of jumps racing.
Wonder woman
Advertisement
Read More on Horse Racing
And she opened the door for a new generation of female jumps jockeys, who might otherwise have found it too daunting to try and make a career in one of the world's most dangerous sports.
When she rode her first winner on Stoaway Pearl at a lowly midweek meeting at Thurles in February 2011, it lit the touch paper on a legendary career in the saddle.
Very few trainers wanted to use her at the beginning and she rode just 12 winners between 2010 and 2016.
But Shark Hanlon spotted some potential and he helped her get her foot on the ladder before she eventually caught the eye of top trainer
Advertisement
Most read in Horse Racing
It was a game changer for Blackmore, and she quickly discovered the brilliant mare Honeysuckle, who she rode to back-to-back Champion Hurdle wins at the Cheltenham Festival.
She also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard and, in winning the Champion Chase and Stayers' Hurdle, she joined an elite group of jockeys to sweep the Festival's "big four" races, a feat even 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy couldn't manage.
'Fantastic time' - Rachael Blackmore & Paul Townend share backstage sneak peek of Late Late Show experience
Blackmore said: 'A conversation between [owner] Eddie O'Leary and Henry de Bromhead in a taxi on the way to Aintree took my career to a whole new level.
'Eddie got me in the door at the stable, and what came next was unimaginable. Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard, Minella Times, among many others.
Advertisement
'All with one thing in common – Henry de Bromhead. He's a phenomenal trainer, who brought out the best in me. Without Henry, my story is very different.'
But it was her historic win in the Grand National in 2021 aboard Minella Times that propelled her into the pantheon of sporting greats.
Until that point, the closest a woman had come to winning the big one was in the movie National Velvet, when
The only regret around that magical day is there was nobody at Aintree to cheer her home, with the meeting held behind closed doors during Covid.
Advertisement
Life-changing win
It was a life-changing win and she soon found herself being stopped for autographs and selfies in the street.
She once received fan mail from a young girl in the UK who simply addressed the letter to: "Rachael Blackmore, Ireland."
Her success wasn't just limited to the track, as she was crowned BBC World Sports of the Year and was named RTE's Sports Person of the Year in 2021.
She suffered a serious neck injury after a fall at Downpatrick in September last year, and when she returned in December she struggled for form.
Advertisement
She still ended up having a stellar season, riding 35 winners and banking over £1.2million in prize money, and her last winner came on Ma Belle Etoile at Cork on Saturday.
Blackmore said: 'There are so many people to thank, too many to mention. 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.'
Advertisement
Whatever the future holds for Blackmore, she will go down as one of the modern greats and, even more importantly, she has changed the sport for the better.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mica Malpic gives Bolger second Connacht National triumph
Mica Malpic gives Bolger second Connacht National triumph

Irish Examiner

time21 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

Mica Malpic gives Bolger second Connacht National triumph

For the second time in three years, Enda Bolger won the Tote Connacht National for owner JP McManus as Mica Malpic, ridden by Charlie O'Dwyer, mastered Ambitious Fellow on the run-in to land Roscommon's annual National Hunt highlight. The eight-year-old stayed on dourly from the final fence to score by a length and a quarter, the pair stretching eight lengths clear of the third, Fairyhill Run. 'It's a nice race to win and the rain definitely helped him,' said Bolger. 'We won it with Stealthy Tom two years ago and it's great to win it again. 'Charlie gave him a great ride and said his jumping was fantastic, bar the second last.' Gordon Elliott and Kevin Sexton shared a 10-1 double, sparked when Pied Piper, placed in Cheltenham's County Hurdle twice, retained his unbeaten record over fences in the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Novice Chase. The seven-year, now three-from-three over fences, by an aggregate of 70 lengths, put favourite Zenta to the sword on the final circuit and, ultimately, powered clear to triumph by 27 lengths, with Midnight Moonshine coming past a weary Zenta (8-11 favourite) in the straight. 'That was as straight-forward as you can get it, ' declared Sexton. 'He was a bit exuberant the first day in Down Royal but, now, he's brilliant — long, short, whatever you want. 'He galloped the other horse into the ground with his jumping and won really well. It's been a tough few days — I've had five seconds, so this winner is important.' Sexton delivered again in the George And Joan McCourt Memorial Beginners Chase, brining 4-1 joint-favourite Boston Rover to master long-time leader Iamagetaway at the second last for a snug five lengths success. Trainer Pat Doyle stated: 'The last time we were here, we won the Connacht National with Kaiser Black (in 2018),' after watching 6-5 favourite Brave Fortune, ridden by his son Jack, brush aside Uncle Pat in the Beginners Chase, adding: 'This is a nice horse, a real natural over a fence and, hopefully, there's a good day in him.' Runner-up to the classy Westport Cove in Ballinrobe last time, the Paul Gilligan-trained Itsalladream proved a fortunate winner of the Castlerea Beginners Chase, coming home 16 lengths clear of Encanto Bruno. In a race which saw favourite Birdie Or Bust and A Law Of her Own exit at the second, the Willie Mullins-trained Runcok (Sean Cleary Farrell) blazed the trail and was still a long way clear when crashing at the third last, leaving Itsalladream to win unchallenged. 'We were lucky winners, but Willie has won enough and this horse was second to one of his in Ballinrobe,' quipped winning trainer Gilligan. 'All the credit goes to my son Liam who does all the work with this horse at home. I suppose we'll head to Galway now, for a novice.'

Former trainer Peter Easterby dies, aged 95
Former trainer Peter Easterby dies, aged 95

Irish Examiner

timea day ago

  • Irish Examiner

Former trainer Peter Easterby dies, aged 95

Peter Easterby, who famously trained the likes of Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse, has died at the age of 95. A member of one of the most famous racing families in Yorkshire, he trained with great success on the Flat and over jumps before retiring in 1996. He was succeeded by his son, Tim, while his brother Mick still shares a licence today with his own son, David, with many other members of the family involved in racing. Tim Easterby announced on X: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father Peter Easterby. "He passed away peacefully in his own home with his family by his side. "A true gentleman, legendary racehorse trainer, passionate farmer, lover of country sports and an incredibly proud father and grandfather." Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse were both dual Champion Hurdle winners, while Easterby also won two Gold Cups with Alverton in 1979 and Little Owl in 1981. Proving his versatility, Easterby sent out Sea Pigeon to win the Ebor off top weight and the Chester Cup twice, while Night Nurse finished second to Little Owl in the Gold Cup, narrowly failing to become the first horse to win the two biggest prizes at the Cheltenham Festival. Saucy Kit was another Champion Hurdle winner in 1967 for Easterby and for a time his five wins in the race were a record. His notable Flat triumphs included the Kings's Stand Stakes with Goldhill, the Gimcrack with Sonnen Gold, two Lincolns and three Ayr Gold Cups. Easterby sent out over 2,500 winners during his lengthy career and Tim Easterby is still based at Habton Grange. Jonjo O'Neill was crowned champion jockey twice in 1977-78 and 1978-79 with the help of Easterby and he was aboard Alverton for his Gold Cup success and Sea Pigeon for his 1980 Champion Hurdle win. "We had some great times together, he was great man to ride for and we were very lucky together — you could say we were a good partnership," said O'Neill. "He was a great man and a great trainer, what he did with the likes of Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse — their longevity was incredible. And to win a Gold Cup with Alverton, he didn't have great legs. "It's hard to pick out one particular race. I think the best thing you could say was that he could train a horse to win over five furlongs or 25 miles. He was just a genius and a great man to ride for. "He just understood the game and understood horses, he had a great eye for them and made it easy for everyone. He was brilliant, there was always another day in his eyes." O'Neill missed the 1981 Cheltenham Festival through injury and John Francome was called up to replace him on the then 11-year-old Sea Pigeon when he produced an ice-cool ride that went down in history. Francome said: "I saw Tim (Easterby) last Thursday up at Malton at Jack Berry's do and he said he wasn't very well then, but he was an amazing guy. "It's amazing to train 1,000 winners on the Flat and jumping, you never saw him when he wasn't smiling, he was as sharp as a tack and lovely with it — he was a charming man." Reflecting on Sea Pigeon's 1981 Champion Hurdle triumph, Francome added: "Jonjo broke his leg really badly in a fall at Bangor, so I got the call. "Peter was always relaxed. I remember going in the paddock at Cheltenham and saying 'how is he?' because I'd never ridden him out or anything, and Peter just said 'he's better than he was last year' and he was absolutely right. "I never sat down and discussed it with him. He trained him, he was the best horse and that was it. "He was an easy horse to ride and the best horse in the race by some way." Mick Easterby hailed the many training accomplishments of his brother via his website and concluded by saying: "Peter touched the lives of so many people. He will be greatly missed by the family and the many friends he made both in the racing and farming communities."

Former trainer Peter Easterby, winner of two Cheltenham Gold Cups, dies aged 95
Former trainer Peter Easterby, winner of two Cheltenham Gold Cups, dies aged 95

Irish Independent

timea day ago

  • Irish Independent

Former trainer Peter Easterby, winner of two Cheltenham Gold Cups, dies aged 95

A member of one of the most famous racing families in Yorkshire, he trained with great success on the Flat and over jumps before retiring in 1996. He was succeeded by his son, Tim, while his brother Mick still shares a licence today with his own son, David, with many other members of the family involved in racing. Tim Easterby announced on X: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father Peter Easterby. "He passed away peacefully in his own home with his family by his side. "A true gentleman, legendary racehorse trainer, passionate farmer, lover of country sports and an incredibly proud father and grandfather." Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse were both dual Champion Hurdle winners, while Easterby also won two Gold Cups with Alverton in 1979 and Little Owl in 1981. Proving his versatility, Easterby sent out Sea Pigeon to win the Ebor off top weight and the Chester Cup twice, while Night Nurse finished second to Little Owl in the Gold Cup, narrowly failing to become the first horse to win the two biggest prizes at the Cheltenham Festival. Saucy Kit was another Champion Hurdle winner in 1967 for Easterby and for a time his five wins in the race were a record. His notable Flat triumphs included the Kings's Stand Stakes with Goldhill, the Gimcrack with Sonnen Gold, two Lincolns and three Ayr Gold Cups. Easterby, a cousin of former Irish rugby players Simon and Guy Easterby, sent out over 2,500 winners during his lengthy career and Tim Easterby is still based at Habton Grange. Jonjo O'Neill was crowned champion jockey twice in 1977-78 and 1978-79 with the help of Easterby and he was aboard Alverton for his Gold Cup success and Sea Pigeon for his 1980 Champion Hurdle win. "We had some great times together, he was great man to ride for and we were very lucky together - you could say we were a good partnership," said O'Neill. "He was a great man and a great trainer, what he did with the likes of Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse - their longevity was incredible. And to win a Gold Cup with Alverton, he didn't have great legs. "It's hard to pick out one particular race. I think the best thing you could say was that he could train a horse to win over five furlongs or 25 miles. He was just a genius and a great man to ride for. "He just understood the game and understood horses, he had a great eye for them and made it easy for everyone. He was brilliant, there was always another day in his eyes." O'Neill missed the 1981 Cheltenham Festival through injury and John Francome was called up to replace him on the then 11-year-old Sea Pigeon when he produced an ice-cool ride that went down in history. Francome said: "I saw Tim [Easterby] last Thursday up at Malton at Jack Berry's do and he said he wasn't very well then, but he was an amazing guy. "It's amazing to train 1,000 winners on the Flat and jumping, you never saw him when he wasn't smiling, he was as sharp as a tack and lovely with it - he was a charming man." Reflecting on Sea Pigeon's 1981 Champion Hurdle triumph, Francome added: "Jonjo broke his leg really badly in a fall at Bangor, so I got the call. "Peter was always relaxed. I remember going in the paddock at Cheltenham and saying 'how is he?' because I'd never ridden him out or anything, and Peter just said 'he's better than he was last year' and he was absolutely right. "I never sat down and discussed it with him. He trained him, he was the best horse and that was it. "He was an easy horse to ride and the best horse in the race by some way." Mick Easterby hailed the many training accomplishments of his brother via his website and concluded by saying: "Peter touched the lives of so many people. He will be greatly missed by the family and the many friends he made both in the racing and farming communities."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store