‘It will be very different' – Legendary jockey Rachael Blackmore reveals what's next for her after shock retirement
And she has opened up on the moment she knew she had to call it quits - after an epiphany at Cheltenham Festival.
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Rachael Blackmore is enjoying some downtime away from racing and the spotlight with jockey boyfriend Brian Hayes
Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The trailblazing former Grand National winner
But in a conversation with
Blackmore, 35, has written her first book - Granny National - and appears happy to take a complete break from the sport that turned her into a global icon.
Asked what the future had in store, Blackmore said: "Even though retiring was probably a feeling inside me that I had kind of dampened down, it wasn't part of a massive plan to retire that Saturday.
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"There is nothing set up but I am very lucky that I can take a few weeks and decide what might be next.
"It will be a very different life to the one I had previously."
Blackmore's decision came out of the blue and just weeks after she had enjoyed more Cheltenham success with a Stayers' Hurdle win on Bob Olinger.
She said when she was exiting the home of jumps on the final day of the Festival she had a strange feeling it may be for the final time.
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Blackmore said: "When I was leaving the weighing room at Cheltenham on Friday this year, for the first time I just had a little thought in my head: 'Will I be back here next season?'
"It was the first time that thought had ever crept into my head. I didn't know.
"Part of me thought I would be back, part of me thought I wouldn't. I just said to myself leave it [the decision] until June and get to the jockey's break. I'd think about it all then."
But it was a final win at Cork that convinced her the time was right.
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She added: "I was going to Cork the other day [to ride Ma Belle Etoile] and I thought: 'If this one wins then maybe that's the time to call it.'
"She won and, the following morning, I fully decided that was it."
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