Latest news with #Knockeen
The Herald Scotland
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Rachael Blackmore announces retirement from riding
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.' Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning the Champion Hurdle on Honeysuckle (David Davies/PA) Prior to her Grand National triumph Blackmore had already become the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle aboard Honeysuckle that year and in 2022 she secured another first when steering A Plus Tard to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Having won the two-mile Champion Chase at the 2024 Festival with Captain Guinness, Bob Olinger's Stayers' Hurdle win in March meant Blackmore ticked off the final championship event at Cheltenham – a feat very few jockeys complete during their career and putting Blackmore further out on her own among female riders. Her statement continued: 'The people to thank are endless, it's not possible to mention everyone (as I don't want this to be another book) but I'm going to get a few names in here anyway and to everyone else, you know who you are, as they say. 'Firstly, my parents who provided me with the best childhood, and a pony I couldn't hold! This set the seed for a life of racing. Aidan Kennedy gave me my first ride in a point-to-point. I spent time riding out for Arthur Moore and Pat Doyle which I loved. Sam Curling and Liam Lennon were also big supporters as was Denise O' Shea, John Nicholson, Ellmarie Holden, Harry Smyth and Gigginstown House Stud. 'I rode my first winner for Shark Hanlon, who then helped me become champion conditional. I will be forever grateful to Shark for getting behind me, supporting me and believing in me when it would have been just as easy to look elsewhere. He was the catalyst for what was to come. 'A conversation between Eddie O'Leary and Henry de Bromhead in a taxi on the way to Aintree took my career to a whole new level. Eddie got me in the door at Knockeen, and what came next was unimaginable: Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard, Minella Indo, Captain Guinness, Bob Olinger, Minella Times, among many others… all with one thing in common – Henry de Bromhead. 'He's a phenomenal trainer, who brought out the best in me. Without Henry, my story is very different. 'To my sponsors over the years. Dornan, KPMG, Volvo, Betfair, PCI Insurance, thank you for your support. To Garry Cribbin, who looked after me as my agent since day one with professionalism and friendship. To Rebecca Matthews who managed (and hopefully will continue to manage!) the non-horse related requests. To Willie Mullins who provided me with success throughout my career. 'To all the team in Knockeen who do such incredible work looking after all the horses, without you and all the stable staff across the country, winners don't happen. To Davy Roche, whose help was invaluable when I was privileged enough to have a choice in a race. Rachael Blackmore with Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard (Lorraine O'Sullivan/PA) 'To all the amazing doctors, surgeons and physios who looked after me over the years. To all the wonderful owners who trusted me and gave me the opportunity to do what I love doing. To everyone I shared the weigh room with, I'll miss being in there with you. 'To all my great friends – you made winning special. Brian Hayes won't enjoy getting a mention, but he was more important to my career than I'll ever be able to thank him for. '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.' Blackmore rode her first winner as a professional in 2015 and bows out with 18 Cheltenham Festival victories on her CV. She had been booked to ride at Sligo and Tipperary in the coming days but her decision to retire with immediate effect means Blackmore's final career success came aboard Ma Belle Etoile, fittingly trained by her long-time ally De Bromhead, at Cork on Saturday.
Extra.ie
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Rachael Blackmore announces retirement with lengthy statement
Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore has announced her retirement, writing 'I feel the time is right.' The Tipperary native became the first female jockey to win the Grand National in 2021. She also became the first woman to be lead jockey at the Cheltenham Festival with six victories, including the Champion Hurdle in 2021. Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore has announced her retirement, writing 'I feel the time is right.' Pic: Scott Heppell/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Confirming her retirement on Monday afternoon, Rachael took to social media and shared: '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.' The 35-year-old noted that those she had to thank were 'endless.' 'Firstly, my parents who produced me with the best childhood and a pony I couldn't hold,' she shared, 'This set the seed for a life of racing.' The jockey paid tribute to Aidan Kennedy who she had her first point to point with as well as Arthur Moore and Pat Doyle who she spent time riding with in her early days. 'I rode my first winner for Shark Hanlon, who then helped me become Champion Conditional,' Rachael continued, 'I will be forever grateful to Shark for getting behind me, supporting me and believing in me when it would have been just as easy to loos elsewhere. 'He was the catalyst for what was to come.' Rachael explained how a 'conversation' between Eddie O'Leary and Henry de Bromhead on the way to Aintree took her career to a 'whole new level.' Jockey Rachael Blackmore with the Grand National trophy in 2021. Pic: David Davies – Pool/Getty Images After getting in the door at Knockeen, she met horses including Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard, Minella Indo and Minella Times. 'All with one thing in common — Henry de Bromhead. He's a phenomenal trainer, who brought out the best in me,' Rachael praised, 'Without Henry, my story is very different.' The jockey then paid tribute to her sponsors over the years as well as her team at Knockeen who she said 'do such incredible work looking after all the horses.' 'To all the amazing doctors, surgeons and physios who looked after me over the years,' she added, 'To all the wonderful owners who trusted me and gave me the opportunity to do what I love doing. Rachael Blackmore's statement concluded, admitting that it was 'daunting' to no longer be referred to as a jockey. Pic:'To everyone I shared the weigh room with, I'll miss being in there with you.' Rachael's statement concluded, admitting that it was 'daunting' to no longer be referred to as a jockey. 'Who even am I now,' she joked, 'But I feel so incredible 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.' Social media users took to the comments to extend well wishes to Rachael on her retirement, with one writing: 'Rachel you inspired me.' Another added: 'Simply the best Rachael.'
Irish Examiner
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'The time is right': Rachael Blackmore brings glittering racing career to an end
Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Rachael Blackmore has announced her retirement from riding. "My days of being a jockey have come to an end," she said in a statement released on Monday evening. "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. "The people to thank are endless, it's not possible to mention everyone (as I don't want this to be another book) but I'm going to get a few names in here anyway and to everyone else, you know who you are, as they say. "Firstly, my parents who provided me with the best childhood, and a pony I couldn't hold! This set the seed for a life of racing. Aidan Kennedy gave me my first ride in a point to point. I spent time riding out for Arthur Moore and Pat Doyle which I loved. Sam Curling and Liam Lennon were also big supporters as was Denise O' Shea, John Nicholson, Ellmarie Holden, Harry Smyth and Gigginstown House Stud. "I rode my first winner for Shark Hanlon, who then helped me become Champion Conditional. I will be forever grateful to Shark for getting behind me, supporting me and believing in me when it would have been just as easy to look elsewhere. He was the catalyst for what was to come. "A conversation between Eddie O'Leary and Henry de Bromhead in a taxi on the way to Aintree took my career to a whole new level. Eddie got me in the door at Knockeen, and what came next was unimaginable: Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard, Minella Indo, Captain Guinness, Bob Olinger, Minella Times, among many others… all with one thing in common – Henry de Bromhead. He's a phenomenal trainer, who brought out the best in me. Without Henry, my story is very different. "To my sponsors over the years. Dornan, KPMG, Volvo, Betfair, PCI Insurance, thank you for your support. To Garry Cribbin, who looked after me as my agent since day one with professionalism and friendship. To Rebecca Matthews who managed (and hopefully will continue to manage!) the non-horse related requests. To Willie Mullins who provided me with success throughout my career. "To all the team in Knockeen who do such incredible work looking after all the horses, without you and all the stable staff across the country, winners don't happen. To Davy Roche, who's help was invaluable when I was privileged enough to have a choice in a race. To all the amazing doctors, surgeons and physios who looked after me over the years. To all the wonderful owners who trusted me and gave me the opportunity to do what I love doing. To everyone I shared the weigh room with, I'll miss being in there with you. To all my great friends – you made winning special. Brian Hayes won't enjoy getting a mention, but he was more important to my career than I'll ever be able to thank him for. "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."
