Latest news with #GrannyNational
The Irish Sun
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Rachael Blackmore shares rare insight into life with jockey boyfriend as she unwinds at festival
RACHAEL Blackmore has shared a rare insight into her life away from the racing track with her jockey boyfriend Brian Hayes. Fresh off 6 Blackmore generally keeps her relationship out of the public eye Credit: @blackmorerachael 6 Her, Brian and pals smiling for the camera on a night out Credit: @blackmorerachael 6 Top amateur jockey Patrick Mullins was sat beside her in this one Credit: @blackmorerachael 6 Unwinding on a gorgeous sunny day spent at a music festival Credit: @blackmorerachael Her latest Instagram post was notable for how little it showcased photos taken in a racing background. Instead, there were pics from her attending a friend's wedding, at a music festival and savouring general nights out with friends. Her jockey boyfriend Brian Hayes featured in a few of them. Tipperary native Blackmore generally steers any interview question about him back to racing. But she has given the odd titbit of information about Read More On Irish Sport In a 2021 interview she did lift the lid on how they shared a house at the time with another jockey star. She outlined: "I live with two other jockeys, Patrick Mullins and Brian Hayes. "I am going out with Brian Hayes, so there are three of us here. "It is a great house to live in and it is in a really good location in Leighlinbridge in Carlow. It is close to all the race tracks in Ireland." Most read in Horse Racing Interestingly, she added: "We don't talk about racing half as much as people might think. It is just a normal house when we come home." Book background A few weeks prior to her announcing her retirement, she marked an altogether different milestone with the publication of her first book - entitled Granny National. Statement issued as officials launch probe into jockey's final-flight fall on leading horse who drifted in market Sharing a pic of it among the shelves at Eason, the 35-year-old was clearly in buoyant form. She quipped: "Available now in all good and bad bookshops." It was co-written by Rachel Pierce and its retail price is €13.99. The Tipp trailblazer previously outlined how the story revolves around a young girl, who happens to be named Rachael, helps her grandmother to fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming a jockey. 6 Attending a friend's wedding while wearing a stunning red gown Credit: @blackmorerachael 6 With more pals in what looks to be a hotel lobby Credit: @blackmorerachael In total, three years of work went into it. As a rider, 2025 saw her The last one to fall was the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle which she clinched aboard Bob Olinger. It meant she added the Stayers' Hurdle to her previous victories in the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase and Gold Cup.
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘It will be very different' – Legendary jockey Rachael Blackmore reveals what's next for her after shock retirement
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEGENDARY jockey Rachael Blackmore has revealed what's next for her after her shock retirement from the saddle. And she has opened up on the moment she knew she had to call it quits - after an epiphany at Cheltenham Festival. 1 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 stunned the sport when she confirmed she had retired last Monday. But in a conversation with Betfair, she said she had no plans yet to become a mentor or coach to aspiring young jockeys. 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. "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. 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. 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." 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
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘It will be very different' – Legendary jockey Rachael Blackmore reveals what's next for her after shock retirement
LEGENDARY jockey Rachael Blackmore has revealed what's next for her after her shock retirement from the saddle. And she has opened up on the moment she knew she had to call it quits - after an epiphany at Cheltenham Festival. Advertisement 1 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. Advertisement "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. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing 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. Advertisement 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." 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. Advertisement
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘It will be very different' – Legendary jockey Rachael Blackmore reveals what's next for her after shock retirement
LEGENDARY jockey Rachael Blackmore has revealed what's next for her after her shock retirement from the saddle. And she has opened up on the moment she knew she had to call it quits - after an epiphany at Cheltenham Festival. The trailblazing former Grand National winner stunned the sport when she confirmed she had retired last Monday. But in a conversation with Betfair, she said she had no plans yet to become a mentor or coach to aspiring young jockeys. 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. "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. 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. "She won and, the following morning, I fully decided that was it." . Remember to gamble responsibly Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Irish Examiner
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Cool and fearless, ‘Rachael' became an unwitting icon and role model
There had been a noticeable candour in Rachael Blackmore's recent promotional interviews for her first children's book 'Granny National' which hinted that a retirement might be imminent. During the 'five songs' slot on Brendan O'Connor's RTÉ radio show last weekend she was asked what she does to relax away from racing and immediately replied: 'Go on holidays! Head (me) to Dublin Airport and take me somewhere. You definitely can relax when you're out of Ireland.' In that one sentence we got some idea of the immense pressure that her phenomenal success has brought. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Subscribe to access all of the Irish Examiner. Annual €120€60 Best value Monthly €10€4 / month Unlimited access. Subscriber content. Daily ePaper. Additional benefits.
