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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘Spineless' – Meg Nicholls' verdict on Philip Byrnes' infamous fall as dad Charles breaks silence after horse is sold
BYRN AFTER READING 'Spineless' – Meg Nicholls' verdict on Philip Byrnes' infamous fall as dad Charles breaks silence after horse is sold Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRAVE Meg Nicholls was praised by punters for giving her no-holds-barred verdict on Philip Byrnes' infamous Wexford fall. The jockey's 'soft' unseat at the last when clear on Redwood Queen has sparked an urgent Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board investigation. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Statement issued as officials launch probe into jockey's final-flight fall on leading horse who drifted in market The mare, who has since been sold to a new trainer having belonged to Philip's brother Cathal, was a huge drifter in the betting before the off. New footage has emerged of the flashpoint, which saw Philip, whose dad Charles trained the horse, fall to his knees after the horse successfully jumped the last. Nicholls was involved in a discussion with Sun Racing's Matt Chapman and former Grand National-winning rider Mick Fitzgerald last weekend. And Meg, daughter of iconic trainer Paul, didn't hold back when giving her opinion of what happened. Quizzed by Fitzgerald: "So come on then, what are you saying, that he jumped off?" Meg without hesitation hit back: "I think it looks like it. "Watching that it looks as if he is preparing… his knee is out already. He is pushing himself out the left hand side. "It looks as if he is trying to come off." Nicholls' analysis was lauded as 'superb' by ITV viewers - but some disagreed with Fitzgerald. One took exception to his 'spineless' verdict of the incident, while others thought he offered valuable insight into what the jockey was trying to do. Either way, as Chapman wrote in his column, the outcome of the probe will more than likely depend on what can be traced, if anything, to betting patterns around the race. Byrnes senior finally broke his silence on the incident and used the opportunity to hit out at those doubting his son. He said: "It's obvious what happened. "He was trying to get the mare to go in and pop it, because obviously she had the race won, and she came up out of his hands and blew him out of the saddle. "There's no one hurting more than Philip about it." All this came as new footage of the fall was shared online. The camera, looking down towards the post from the track, focused in on how Byrnes' feet left their irons. Viewing it on Racing TV on Sunday morning, former jockey Adam McNamara conceded it 'looks really bad'. He said: "I'm going to be pro-jockey by nature and perhaps it's naive of me, but I want to believe it was an unseat. "If it was something more sinister why wait until last to do it? "It looks really bad - I think it's a really bad bit of riding. "The jockey will say he should never have fallen off that." Stewards originally decided on the day that no further action would be taken over the incident. But it was only after a social media outcry that the IHRB confirmed it was being looked into. 1 The new footage from behind focused in how Byrnes' feet left his irons mid-jump FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Spineless' – Meg Nicholls' verdict on Philip Byrnes' infamous fall as dad Charles breaks silence after horse is sold
BRAVE Meg Nicholls was praised by punters for giving her no-holds-barred verdict on Philip Byrnes' infamous Wexford fall. The jockey's 'soft' unseat at the last when clear on Redwood Queen has sparked an Advertisement Statement issued as officials launch probe into jockey's final-flight fall on leading horse who drifted in market The mare, who has since been sold to a new trainer having belonged to Philip's brother Cathal, was a huge drifter in the betting before the off. New footage has emerged of the flashpoint, which saw Philip, whose dad Charles trained the horse, fall to his knees after the horse successfully jumped the last. Nicholls was involved in a discussion with Sun Racing's Matt Chapman and former Grand National-winning rider Mick Fitzgerald last weekend. And Meg, daughter of iconic trainer Paul, didn't hold back when giving her opinion of what happened. Advertisement Quizzed by Fitzgerald: "So come on then, what are you saying, that he jumped off?" Meg without hesitation hit back: "I think it looks like it. "Watching that it looks as if he is preparing… his knee is out already. He is pushing himself out the left hand side. "It looks as if he is trying to come off." Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing Nicholls' analysis was lauded as 'superb' by ITV viewers - but some disagreed with Fitzgerald. One took exception to his 'spineless' verdict of the incident, while others thought he offered valuable insight into what the jockey was trying to do. Either way, as Byrnes senior finally broke his silence on the incident and used the opportunity to hit out at those doubting his son. Advertisement He said: "It's obvious what happened. "He was trying to get the mare to go in and pop it, because obviously she had the race won, and she came up out of his hands and blew him out of the saddle. "There's no one hurting more than Philip about it." All this came as new footage of the fall was shared online. Advertisement The camera, looking down towards the post from the track, focused in on how Byrnes' feet left their irons. Viewing it on Racing TV on Sunday morning, former jockey Adam McNamara conceded it 'looks really bad'. He said: "I'm going to be pro-jockey by nature and perhaps it's naive of me, but I want to believe it was an unseat. "If it was something more sinister why wait until last to do it? Advertisement "It looks really bad - I think it's a really bad bit of riding. "The jockey will say he should never have fallen off that." Stewards originally decided on the day that no further action would be taken over the incident. But it was only after a social media outcry that the IHRB confirmed it was being looked into. Advertisement 1 The new footage from behind focused in how Byrnes' feet left his irons mid-jump FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jockey Rachael Blackmore breaks silence on retirement and opens up on fame
The Grand National-winning rider of 2021 on Minella Times said she has been "privileged" to inspire the next generation at the races after making history in her sport Weighing room history-maker Rachael Blackmore has spoken out for the first time since retiring from the sport of horse racing. The 35-year-old won the Grand National and Gold Cup during a career which saw her become one of the best jockeys to compete over jumps. Blackmore signed off with a final victory for long-time ally Henry de Bromhead on Ma Belle Etoile at Cork on May 10. After a week to reflect on her decision, the sportswoman revealed to Betfair how she first considered calling it a day at Cheltenham in March, where she joined a select group of jockeys to tick off a full house in the four championship events. After riding Stayers' Hurdle hero Bob Olinger, Blackmore pondered the future as she left Prestbury Park, a place which helped her become a household name. "It was the first time that thought had ever crept into my head," the betting firm's ambassador said. "I just said to myself leave it [the decision] until June and get to the jockey's break." Blackmore, who entered the record books by becoming the first female jockey to conquer the National on Minella Times, 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." Yet to decide on her future plans, Blackmore credits subsequent Gold Cup hero A Plus Tard with taking her career to the next level in a 2019 Festival handicap. "I had never ridden a (Cheltenham) winner) - Henry put a lot of faith in me to deliver that week and it was massive," she said. As of March 2025, Blackmore had raked in approximately £9million in prize money at Cheltenham and beyond, according to At The Races. As per the PJA, jockeys receive around ten per cent of the win fund. The rider of 18 Festival winners and 2021 BBC World Sports Personality of the Year also detailed what it is like to be famous, with young fans often heading her way at the races. "It's just a privilege to be that person," she said. "When you see some of them looking up to you, they half think you're Beyonce or something! They are mesmerised to see you. So excited and happy to get their little moment with a picture or an autograph. "To have that influence on someone's day for 30 seconds, it's a really special thing."
Irish Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rachael Blackmore's boyfriend badly pranked after jockey announces retirement
Rachael Blackmore shocked the racing world earlier this week when she announced she was retiring from the saddle. The Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National-winning rider called time on her career on Monday, releasing a statement online. Blackmore made international headlines in 2021 when she teamed up with the Henry de Bromhead-trained Minella Times to win the world's greatest steeplechase at Aintree – the first woman to do so in the then 182-year history of the race. In a statement, Blackmore said 'My days of being a jockey have come to an end. '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.' Tributes have been pouring in from the racing world in recent days, with Irish champion jockey Paul Townend among those to speak on Blackmore's retirement, joking that she might now be "babysitting" her boyfriend Brian Hayes, who is also a jockey. And Townend had a laugh at Hayes' expense on Wednesday as they played a round of golf at Gowran Park. Hayes went to tee off, but when his driver connected with the golf ball, the ball exploded leading to a fits of laughter from everyone present as a confused Hayes looked on.
Irish Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rachael Blackmore's net worth and the staggering amount of prize money she won
Rachael Blackmore has called time on her incredible career as a jockey. The Grand National-winning rider announced on Monday that she was retiring from the saddle with immediate effect as she penned a shock statement. Blackmore enjoyed many triumphant days, winning the Grand National in 2021 on Minella Times and tasting victory 18 times at the Cheltenham Festival, including in all four feature races - the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Stayers' Hurdle. She won the last of those races this year when partnering Bob Olinger to success on the Thursday of the famous meeting. It completed a 152/1 double on the day after Blackmore steered Air Of Entitlement to win the Mares' Novices' Hurdle earlier in the day. While the exact net worth of Blackmore remains undisclosed, she has reportedly raked in around €11million in prize money throughout her illustrious career, as per At The Races. According to the PJA, jockeys typically pocket about ten per cent of the winning prize. A substantial portion of these winnings, specifically €7m, were bagged in Ireland where she secured three Irish Champion Hurdles from 2021 to 2023 on the famed mare, Honeysuckle. Blackmore steered A Plus Tard to a whopping €420,000 in prize money when they clinched the Gold Cup in 2022. Another significant payday arrived in 2024 when Captain Guinness triumphed in the Champion Chase, scooping up €270k in the process. The jockey also netted over €218,000 for Bob Olinger's connections by winning the Stayers' Hurdle in March of this year. 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. Beyond those mounts already mentioned, Blackmore claimed victory in the Champion Bumper in 2021 with Sir Gerhard, while also guiding Quilixios to the Triumph Hurdle, Allaho to the Ryanair Chase, Bob Olinger to the Baring Bingham, and Telmesomethinggirl to the Mares' Novices Hurdle that year. In 2024, she seized her first win in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Slade Steel. Blackmore consistently demonstrates her ability to excel under pressure, asserting that it often leads to dazzling outcomes for her. Betfair ambassador Blackmore, praised the Cheltenham Festival for her series of fortunate events: "It's just been a very lucky place for me. I've got to ride some very good horses there, and you know Henry de Bromhead, his horses seem to go there and run fantastic races, and you're just very lucky when you get to be on their back. "I think riding, every jockey wants to ride on the big stage, in the big races, on the big days, and Cheltenham is our, it's been said before, it's our Olympics, and that's where every jockey starting off wants to get to, so I'm very lucky that I get to ride horses in Cheltenham and I feel like I'm in a very lucky position to get to do that. "Pressure is part of it, but you want to be under pressure because you know if you're under pressure, it means your horse has a very good chance, and they're the horses you want to be riding, so it is pressure, but you know you just have to deal with it and almost be grateful for it."
