Latest news with #CheltenhamGoldCup
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Rachael Blackmore gives fans rare glimpse into her life with boyfriend and pals after shock retirement aged 35
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT THAT'S MORE LIKE IT Rachael Blackmore gives fans rare glimpse into her life with boyfriend and pals after shock retirement aged 35 RACHAEL BLACKMORE has shared several snaps of herself enjoying life in retirement. The legendary jockey, 35, surprisingly announced that she was calling it quits earlier this month. Advertisement 6 Rachael Blackmore has posted several pictures on Instagram Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 Blackmore poses with boyfriend Brian Hayes Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 Th former jockey has enjoyed evenings out with pals Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael Since retiring, Blackmore has been spending time with family and friends. In her Instagram post earlier today, the Irish superstar shared pictures of herself with pals, as well as boyfriend Brian Hayes. Some of her pictures showed her at swanky restaurants. While another saw her pose trackside. Advertisement READ MORE IN RACING FALL GUY Probe launched into jockey's fall off leading horse at last jump amid punter fury During her illustrious career, Blackmore secured 575 wins as a jockey. Blackmore also made history at the 2021 Grand National, winning the race aboard Minella Times. The triumph marked the first time that a woman had ever won the prestigious race. She was also the first woman to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard in 2022. Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 6 Blackmore announced her retirement earlier this month Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 The Irish superstar has had plenty of fun since quitting racing Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael This was one of 18 winners she achieved at Cheltenham. Advertisement Announcing her decision, Blackmore said: "My days of being a jockey have come to an end. 'Fantastic time' - Rachael Blackmore & Paul Townend share backstage sneak peek of Late Late Show experience 'I feel the time is right. I'm sad but I'm also incredibly grateful for what my life has been for the past 16 years. "I just feel so lucky, to have been legged up on the horses I have, and to have experienced success I never even dreamt could be possible. 'It is daunting, not being able to say that I am a jockey anymore… who even am I now! But I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the career I've had. Advertisement "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.'
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Rachael Blackmore gives fans rare glimpse into her life with boyfriend and pals after shock retirement aged 35
RACHAEL BLACKMORE has shared several snaps of herself enjoying life in retirement. The legendary jockey, 35, surprisingly announced that she was calling it quits earlier this month. 6 Rachael Blackmore has posted several pictures on Instagram Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 Blackmore poses with boyfriend Brian Hayes Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 Th former jockey has enjoyed evenings out with pals Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael Since retiring, In her Instagram post earlier today, the Irish superstar shared pictures of herself with pals, as well as boyfriend Brian Hayes. Some of her pictures showed her at swanky restaurants. While another saw her pose trackside. READ MORE IN RACING During her illustrious career, Blackmore secured 575 wins as a jockey. Blackmore also made history at the 2021 Grand National, winning the race aboard Minella Times. The triumph marked the first time that a woman had ever won the prestigious race. She was also the first woman to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard in 2022 . Most read in Horse Racing BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 6 Blackmore announced her retirement earlier this month Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 The Irish superstar has had plenty of fun since quitting racing Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael This was one of 18 winners she achieved at Cheltenham. Announcing her decision, Blackmore said: "My days of being a jockey have come to an end. 'Fantastic time' - Rachael Blackmore & Paul Townend share backstage sneak peek of Late Late Show experience 'I feel the time is right. I'm sad but I'm also incredibly grateful for what my life has been for the past 16 years. "I just feel so lucky, to have been legged up on the horses I have, and to have experienced success I never even dreamt could be possible. 'It is daunting, not being able to say that I am a jockey anymore… who even am I now! But 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.' 6 Blackmore poses for a picture trackside Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ryanair's Michael O'Leary lands historic €100m bonus
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has earned a bonus worth more than €100m (£84m) after the discount carrier's shares cleared a key performance target. The Irishman qualified for the mammoth payout on Thursday after Ryanair stock traded above the specified level of €21 for a 28th straight day, closing at €23.74. Mr O'Leary now stands to receive 10m shares for €11.12 apiece, or €111.2m in total. Based on Thursday's closing price, the stock would be worth €237m, bagging a paper profit of €126m. The Irishman is set for one of the biggest paydays in European corporate history despite Ryanair reporting a 16pc drop in annual profit in an earnings update last week. Mr O'Leary, a Manchester City fan, said at the time that the bonus was justified in light of the long-term performance of the airline, comparing it with the rewards on offer in the sporting world. He told analysts: 'I think we're delivering exceptional value for Ryanair shareholders in an era when Premiership footballers or the managers are getting paid €20m to €25m a year. 'I think Ryanair shareholders are getting a particular value out of our share options – both mine and the rest of the management team.' This embedded content is not available in your region. Mr O'Leary did not indicate how he might spend the money and has slimmed down the racehorse training operation into which he poured millions earlier in his career, winning three Grand Nationals and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the process. The long-term incentive scheme was first set out in 2019 with an expiration date of 2024 as part of a deal that saw the Ryanair chief sign a new contract while accepting cuts to his salary and annual bonus. However, Covid intervened the following year, grounding flights, plunging airlines into the red and sending share prices tumbling, with Ryanair dropping to €8. Shareholders subsequently backed an extension to the expiry date. The carrier expanded rapidly in the wake of the pandemic, though struggled last summer after a row with online travel agents saw it deprived of some bookings. It was also unable to tap increasing demand for all-inclusive package breaks that boosted rivals easyJet, TUI and Jet2, having closed down its own holidays division some years ago. Regardless, Ryanair continues to rank as Europe's biggest airline by passenger numbers. Mr O'Leary is credited with transforming the Irish carrier from a regional also-ran into a goliath. He joined as finance chief in 1988 before becoming chief executive in 1994, importing a low-cost, no-frills business model copied from US discount giant Southwest Airlines. In order to receive the bonus award – to be paid in share options – Mr O'Leary must stay at Ryanair until July 2028, by which time he will be aged 67 and have been chief executive for almost 35 years. Ryanair did not respond to calls. It previously indicated earlier that it did not plan to comment on its chief executive's windfall since the share options would not vest for another three years. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Glasgow Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Blackmore: Retirement crept into my head at Cheltenham
The trailblazing jockey, a Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle-winning rider among a host of other historic firsts, bowed out from the sport this month. '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?',' she told Betfair. '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 until June and get to the jockeys' break. I'd think about it all then.' A winner at Cork aboard Ma Belle Etoile in early May confirmed the decision, and the next day Blackmore was set on hanging up her boots. 'I was going to Cork the other day and I thought: 'If this one wins then maybe that's the time to call it',' she said. 'She won and, the following morning, I fully decided that was it.' Blackmore does not have an immediate plan for the next step in her career, and will adapt to a different lifestyle before considering what to turn her hand to. '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, there is nothing set up but I am very lucky that I can take a few weeks and decide what might be next,' she said. 'It will be a very different life to the one I had previously.'
Irish Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rachael Blackmore observation made as jockey makes retirement admission
The praise continues to come for Rachael Blackmore following her decision to retire from the saddle. The jockey announced last week that she was stepping down as a jockey with immediate effect. She expanded on her decision in an interview with Betfair on Tuesday, admitting she first had thoughts of retiring at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Blackmore was a true trailblazer, winning the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle among a host of other historic firsts. '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?',' she told Betfair. '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 until June and get to the jockeys' break. I'd think about it all then.' Blackmore's last winner aboard Ma Belle Etoile at Cork in early May and confirmed her decision, with the jockey announcing her retirement the following day. 'I was going to Cork the other day and I thought: 'If this one wins then maybe that's the time to call it',' she said. 'She won and, the following morning, I fully decided that was it.' Click on this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest Cheltenham Festival news and top stories from the Irish Mirror direct to your phone on WhatsApp. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The Tipperary native does not have an immediate plan for the next step in her career, and will adapt to a different lifestyle before considering what to turn her hand to. '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, there is nothing set up but I am very lucky that I can take a few weeks and decide what might be next,' she said. 'It will be a very different life to the one I had previously." People have been taking to social media in their droves to pay tribute to Blackmore, who has been hailed as a class act both on and off the track. One person wrote: "Rachael Blackmore top class in and out of the saddle, incredible career." Sanctuary Runners Ireland said: "We salute the amazing Rachael Blackmore this week as she announces her retirement. A class act on the track and off it - she supported a campaign we ran with @UNHCRIreland back in 2020." Legendary trainer Aidan O'Brien said Blackmore was a "legend in her own lifetime". Former jockey Katie Walsh stated: "She had a great way of reading races, she was strong both physically and mentally and would line up there with the best of them every day of the week and she was just an inspiration as a human being, she was just absolutely brilliant."
