logo
Blackmore retires a pioneer who broke new ground

Blackmore retires a pioneer who broke new ground

Daughter of a dairy farmer and a school teacher, Blackmore became an unintentional trailblazer as she racked up an ever-expanding list of firsts during what has been an exceptional time in the weighing room.
She had to earn her own leg-up on the pony racing circuit which has seen so many before her cut their teeth. But she also competed in other equestrian events and studied for a degree in equine science at the University of Limerick, with her mother, Eimir, encouraging her to pursue her studies as she felt a full-time riding career was unlikely.
Blackmore rode her first amateur winner for John 'Shark' Hanlon at Thurles in February 2011, and it was he who encouraged her to make the leap. He provided her with a first professional victory, too, at Clonmel on September 3, 2015.
By her own admission, Blackmore was an 'extremely average' amateur and felt the best way to change her outlook was to turn professional in search of more rides and in turn more success.
Her hardworking attitude was duly rewarded when she was crowned champion Irish conditional in 2017 – her first first – a year which would prove pivotal as having ridden regularly for Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud, his racing manager and brother, Eddie, recommended Blackmore to trainer Henry de Bromhead while in the back of a taxi on the way to Aintree.
And so one of racing's most successful partnerships was born.
The duo enjoyed a plethora of big-race success together, but Blackmore's headline victories can be distilled to three horses to hail from the Knockeen yard – Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard and Minella Times.
That is not to demean the likes of other Festival heroes such Captain Guinness, Bob Olinger, Envoi Allen, Quilixios et al or any of Blackmore's other glories, it just that particular trio has obliged on the very grandest of stages.
Her relationship with Honeysuckle spanned the first of the mare's 19 races to her last, with De Bromhead describing the duo as 'a perfect storm' of Blackmore's brilliance and Honeysuckle's 'deadly' talent.
Their Champion Hurdle triumph in 2021 marked a breakthrough for a female rider in a Festival showpiece, though De Bromhead was quick to underline that Blackmore's ability should not be viewed in gender terms – a sentiment echoed by the rider herself.
She said at the time: 'There's no deal about it. If you want to be a jockey, you can be a jockey. Drive on.'
That was to become her theme as she continued to smash down the barriers, not least when achieving worldwide fame via Minella Times' Grand National victory, exclaiming: 'I don't feel male or female – I don't even feel human! This is unbelievable.'
It perhaps speaks volumes that by the time Blackmore won the Cheltenham Gold Cup aboard A Plus Tard the following year, while her sex remained the headline in the news pages, you had to read a few paragraphs down in the racing section before the fact it was a first win for a female rider was even mentioned.
Blackmore was merely seen by those in the know as one of the best in the weighing room, end of discussion.
The attention that went with superstar status did not always sit well with Blackmore, who is not one to naturally put herself forward, preferring to do her talking on the track.
Her mother hailed her determination and humility, adding: 'Despite the successes, Rachael remains true to herself. It's no good having success if you aren't a decent human being'.
Indeed, De Bromhead found Blackmore a huge support following the tragic death of his 13-year-old son, Jack, in a pony racing accident in September 2022.
He said: 'To see her around when we had our tragedy, around the children and with their friends and all of us – she's an incredible person apart from being a brilliant jockey.'
There was hardly a dry eye in the house when Honeysuckle signed off her fairytale career with Mares' Hurdle success just six months after the accident and Blackmore's first thought was for Jack after crossing the line, on what was a hugely emotional day all around.
It would be fair to say Blackmore has become a fan favourite, too, with no better illustration than the support that saw her 2023 Grand National mount Ain't That A Shame sent off at just 10-1 despite having only won a moderate beginners' chase and his owner Brian Acheson declaring him to be 'useless'.
An inspiration to plenty of young racing fans, whether she enjoys the tag or not, Blackmore bows out as a genuine game changer.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ben Curry happy to throw himself into England duty after Sale disappointment
Ben Curry happy to throw himself into England duty after Sale disappointment

North Wales Chronicle

time2 hours ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Ben Curry happy to throw himself into England duty after Sale disappointment

The Sale captain linked up with Steve Borthwick's squad just three days after his club were denied a place in Saturday's Premiership final by an agonising 21-16 semi-final loss to Leicester. Flanker Curry is among the senior figures in a 37-man training camp, containing 16 uncapped players, ahead of upcoming Tests against Argentina and the United States. Head coach Borthwick is currently without players from Premiership finalists Bath and Leicester in addition to a host of star names, including Curry's twin brother Ben, who are involved in the Lions' summer tour of Australia. While in an ideal world he would have been in different surroundings this week, Curry is not contemplating what might have been. 'It's very easy to do the opposite of that,' he said. 'There's always something different to go after. Obviously you've got to address the emotional disappointment but, with professional sport, there's always something thrown at you next. 'Essentially, you can't rest, it's about just cracking on to the next thing. The challenge we've got this tour is properly exciting. 'I think it's a perfect position. Obviously very disappointed after that semi-final but the beauty of rugby is there is always something next and we're quite fortunate it's straight away. 'In five weeks I might address those emotions, but right now it's quite nice to just throw yourself into something different.' Curry impressed during a Guinness Six Nations campaign which brought four wins from five for England and a second-placed finish behind champions France. Yet the 26-year-old was subsequently left out of the Lions squad revealed by head coach Andy Farrell in May. 'I haven't had anything, so for me, I just want to play for England,' said Curry when asked if he retained hope of a late Lions call-up. Training squad announcement 📋 Steve Borthwick has named a 36-player squad for a four-day training camp ahead of the upcoming match between an England XV and a France XV at @allianz_stad on Saturday 21 June.@O2 | #WearTheRose — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 10, 2025 'I've literally had nothing, so I wouldn't have a clue.' England front-row pair Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour were this week added to Farrell's group as injury cover, with Ireland prop Finlay Bealham taking the place of stricken Scotland tighthead Zander Fagerson. Speaking of the opportunity for 20-year-old Sale team-mate Opoku-Fordjour, Curry said: 'He's still very young. He's got so much potential to grow. 'For him to be around the best players in the world, I think could do wonders for him. 'His ceiling is so high, it's unbelievable. Even to have a sniff of that, he's going to come back and he's just going to go from strength to strength. I've got full confidence in that.' Meanwhile, Henry Arundell has been drafted straight back into the England setup after finishing his spell with Racing 92. The former London Irish wing, who has agreed a return to the Premiership with Bath for next season, was unavailable for international selection during his time in France. Arundell scored a try on his Test debut against Australia in 2022 and registered five scores during England's pool-stage victory over Chile at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Asked for his initial impressions of the 22-year-old, Curry said: 'Very quick. He's unbelievable, isn't he? We're definitely blessed to have him back.'

UK Government's £50m pledge for Casement Park an enormous step forward – O'Neill
UK Government's £50m pledge for Casement Park an enormous step forward – O'Neill

South Wales Guardian

time2 hours ago

  • South Wales Guardian

UK Government's £50m pledge for Casement Park an enormous step forward – O'Neill

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly responded by stating that sport across Northern Ireland is 'crying out for financial support'. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn confirmed that the £50 million is ringfenced for the rebuild of the west Belfast GAA stadium and cannot be spent on other projects by the Stormont Executive. The money was included in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' spending review, which outlines the UK Government's spending plans over the coming years. Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said it is 'past time for the redevelopment of this historic venue to get under way'. Plans for a 34,000-capacity stadium have been mired in uncertainty because of a major funding gap of around £150 million. Today marks a significant step forward in the redevelopment of Casement Park, as the British government joins the Executive, the Irish government, and the GAA in committing funding. In every meeting I've had with the British government, I've made the case for funding Casement… — Michelle O'Neill (@moneillsf) June 11, 2025 The Government announcement includes £50 million over four years to support the currently derelict stadium being developed. Ms O'Neill said: 'Casement Park is an Executive flagship project and is more than just a sporting venue, it will serve as an economic driver for the surrounding communities and region, creating jobs and attracting investment. 'Today's commitment of substantial funding from the British Government marks an enormous step forward. It is time for all of us to pull together to now get Casement built.' Stormont ministers committed £62.5 million to Casement in 2011, as part of a strategy to revamp it along with football's Windsor Park and the rugby ground at Ravenhill. While the two other Belfast-based projects went ahead, the redevelopment of Casement was delayed for several years because of legal challenges by local residents. The estimated build cost spiralled in the interim. Last September the UK Government ended hopes that the west Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 games, when it said it would not bridge a funding gap to deliver the redevelopment in time. As well as the Stormont contribution of £62.5 million, the Irish government has offered roughly £42 million and the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. It has been reported that the cost of the project has fallen to £270 million since it was confirmed the ground would not host Euros matches. Under current plans and including the £50 million from Wednesday's announcement, the funding shortfall stands at roughly £100 million. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said it was now up to the Stormont Executive to do work on updating plans and costings for the Casement project. He said: 'We will look at those proposals to support them as best we can.' The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has previously said that any additional money for sporting infrastructure in Northern Ireland had to be delivered on a fair and equitable basis. Ms Little-Pengelly said: 'It'll be over to the GAA in terms of the way forward on that, but from our point of view, it's very much about trying to ensure in an inclusive way that there is fairness right across the needs of all of our sports.' Asked if the £50 million could be spent on other Executive sporting projects, Mr Benn said: 'It is the bottom line. 'This is £50 million for Casement Park, it is ringfenced for that purpose.' He added: 'This is an Executive commitment, it dates from 2011. 'Three stadia – Windsor Park, Ravenhill, Casement Park, three great sporting codes. 'Two of them have been done and Casement Park has not been done. 'We all want to see it completed. 'It is worth looking at how much the UK Government has given directly to football, rugby, sport, leisure and other things over the past four-and-a-bit years, it amounts to £47 million, and a very small bit of that, £1.1 million, went to two projects supported by the GAA. 'We're balancing out what has been the contribution to football, rugby, other sports and leisure over the last four years because I think everyone wants to see the Casement Park project completed.' GAA president Jarlath Burns said it was an 'important and significant' investment from the UK Government. He added: 'We know, however, that this is not the final piece of jigsaw and there is much more work to do. 'The GAA will engage directly with the NI Executive and the Department for Communities to ensure that all parties actively pursue, and secure, a full funding package that will deliver upon the GAA's strategic stadium need.' Ms Reeves' announcement was also welcomed by the Irish government. Deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris said Dublin had long supported the redevelopment of Casement Park as a 'landmark sports infrastructure project'. Mr Harris said: 'In February 2024, we made an early commitment from the Shared Island initiative of up to 50 million euro (£42 million) for the redevelopment of Casement. 'We underlined our commitment at that time to support the GAA in progressing this project in partnership with the UK and NI authorities. 'I will now engage with all these partners to deliver a redeveloped stadium. 'The last match hosted in Casement was well over a decade ago and it is past time for the redevelopment of this historic venue to get under way.'

Ben Curry happy to throw himself into England duty after Sale disappointment
Ben Curry happy to throw himself into England duty after Sale disappointment

South Wales Guardian

time2 hours ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Ben Curry happy to throw himself into England duty after Sale disappointment

The Sale captain linked up with Steve Borthwick's squad just three days after his club were denied a place in Saturday's Premiership final by an agonising 21-16 semi-final loss to Leicester. Flanker Curry is among the senior figures in a 37-man training camp, containing 16 uncapped players, ahead of upcoming Tests against Argentina and the United States. Head coach Borthwick is currently without players from Premiership finalists Bath and Leicester in addition to a host of star names, including Curry's twin brother Ben, who are involved in the Lions' summer tour of Australia. While in an ideal world he would have been in different surroundings this week, Curry is not contemplating what might have been. 'It's very easy to do the opposite of that,' he said. 'There's always something different to go after. Obviously you've got to address the emotional disappointment but, with professional sport, there's always something thrown at you next. 'Essentially, you can't rest, it's about just cracking on to the next thing. The challenge we've got this tour is properly exciting. 'I think it's a perfect position. Obviously very disappointed after that semi-final but the beauty of rugby is there is always something next and we're quite fortunate it's straight away. 'In five weeks I might address those emotions, but right now it's quite nice to just throw yourself into something different.' Curry impressed during a Guinness Six Nations campaign which brought four wins from five for England and a second-placed finish behind champions France. Yet the 26-year-old was subsequently left out of the Lions squad revealed by head coach Andy Farrell in May. 'I haven't had anything, so for me, I just want to play for England,' said Curry when asked if he retained hope of a late Lions call-up. Training squad announcement 📋 Steve Borthwick has named a 36-player squad for a four-day training camp ahead of the upcoming match between an England XV and a France XV at @allianz_stad on Saturday 21 June.@O2 | #WearTheRose — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 10, 2025 'I've literally had nothing, so I wouldn't have a clue.' England front-row pair Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour were this week added to Farrell's group as injury cover, with Ireland prop Finlay Bealham taking the place of stricken Scotland tighthead Zander Fagerson. Speaking of the opportunity for 20-year-old Sale team-mate Opoku-Fordjour, Curry said: 'He's still very young. He's got so much potential to grow. 'For him to be around the best players in the world, I think could do wonders for him. 'His ceiling is so high, it's unbelievable. Even to have a sniff of that, he's going to come back and he's just going to go from strength to strength. I've got full confidence in that.' Meanwhile, Henry Arundell has been drafted straight back into the England setup after finishing his spell with Racing 92. The former London Irish wing, who has agreed a return to the Premiership with Bath for next season, was unavailable for international selection during his time in France. Arundell scored a try on his Test debut against Australia in 2022 and registered five scores during England's pool-stage victory over Chile at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Asked for his initial impressions of the 22-year-old, Curry said: 'Very quick. He's unbelievable, isn't he? We're definitely blessed to have him back.'

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