Latest news with #MinellaIndo
Rhyl Journal
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Rachael Blackmore announces retirement from riding
The 35-year-old 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.' 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. '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.
Rhyl Journal
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Six star performers for Rachael Blackmore
Honeysuckle Honeysuckle and Blackmore were quite simply a match made in heaven. If one horse elevated the rider's career above all others, it was surely Kenny Alexander's magnificent mare, with the pair combining for a staggering haul of 17 wins from 19 starts over hurdles. She did not taste defeat in her first 16 outings, a run which included back-to-back victories in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham – and while her powers appeared to be on the wane after being beaten in her first two races of her final season, she brought the house down on her return to the Cotswolds when landing her second Mares' Hurdle on her swansong in 2023. Honeysuckle was immediately retired after going out in a blaze of glory. Minella Times Blackmore was already firmly established among National Hunt racing's elite riders ahead of the 2021 Grand National, but victory aboard Minella Times took her profile to another level, as her achievement in becoming the first female rider to win the world's most famous steeplechase made headlines around the world. Minella Times was brought down in his bid for back-to-back wins at Aintree the following season and was retired after three more outings, but his place in racing history is cemented. Minella Indo It may be hard to believe it now, but at the start of 2019, Rachael Blackmore had not even ridden a Grade One winner. Minella Indo set that particular record straight at that year's Cheltenham Festival as he ran out a shock 50-1 scorer in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. He went on to prove that was no fluke when doubling his top-level tally at Punchestown the following month and Blackmore would steer him to three chase wins in 2020. She did, of course, miss his big day when winning the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup after siding with his stablemate A Plus Tard, but we all know what happened 12 months later. A Plus Tard A Plus Tard provided Blackmore with her first Cheltenham Festival success when absolutely annihilating his rivals in the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase in 2019 – three days prior to Minella Indo's Albert Barlett win. Blackmore and A Plus Tard subsequently combined for just three further wins, but they were all big ones – the 2020 Savills Chase, the 2021 Betfair Chase and that historic Gold Cup triumph at Cheltenham. Having picked the wrong one a year earlier, Blackmore stuck with A Plus Tard and was rewarded in sensational style as he accelerated up the Cheltenham hill to seal a 15-length verdict over Minella Indo to ensure Blackmore became the first woman to ride the winner of the blue riband. Envoi Allen Envoi Allen went unbeaten in his first 11 races for Gordon Elliott, but fell on his first start after joining Henry de Bromhead when bidding for a third Cheltenham Festival win back in 2021. It is fair to say results have been mixed for the Cheveley Park-owned gelding since, but Blackmore steered him to a trio of Grade One wins, including a brilliant victory in the 2023 Ryanair Chase. Allaho Blackmore's association with the Willie Mullins-trained Allaho was short and sweet – but equally brilliant. Another ace in the Cheveley Park pack, the nine-year-old was passed over by stable jockey Paul Townend in the 2021 Ryanair Chase in favour of stablemate Min. Despite that, strong market support for Allaho saw him sent off the 3-1 favourite and what followed was a demolition job as he devoured the fences from the front on his way to a 12-length success. Blackmore was again on board when he came off second best in a clash with another Mullins star in Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown the following month, but Patrick Mullins and Townend subsequently steered him to big-race success.
Leader Live
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Six star performers for Rachael Blackmore
Honeysuckle Honeysuckle and Blackmore were quite simply a match made in heaven. If one horse elevated the rider's career above all others, it was surely Kenny Alexander's magnificent mare, with the pair combining for a staggering haul of 17 wins from 19 starts over hurdles. She did not taste defeat in her first 16 outings, a run which included back-to-back victories in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham – and while her powers appeared to be on the wane after being beaten in her first two races of her final season, she brought the house down on her return to the Cotswolds when landing her second Mares' Hurdle on her swansong in 2023. Honeysuckle was immediately retired after going out in a blaze of glory. Minella Times Blackmore was already firmly established among National Hunt racing's elite riders ahead of the 2021 Grand National, but victory aboard Minella Times took her profile to another level, as her achievement in becoming the first female rider to win the world's most famous steeplechase made headlines around the world. Minella Times was brought down in his bid for back-to-back wins at Aintree the following season and was retired after three more outings, but his place in racing history is cemented. Minella Indo It may be hard to believe it now, but at the start of 2019, Rachael Blackmore had not even ridden a Grade One winner. Minella Indo set that particular record straight at that year's Cheltenham Festival as he ran out a shock 50-1 scorer in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. He went on to prove that was no fluke when doubling his top-level tally at Punchestown the following month and Blackmore would steer him to three chase wins in 2020. She did, of course, miss his big day when winning the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup after siding with his stablemate A Plus Tard, but we all know what happened 12 months later. A Plus Tard A Plus Tard provided Blackmore with her first Cheltenham Festival success when absolutely annihilating his rivals in the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase in 2019 – three days prior to Minella Indo's Albert Barlett win. Blackmore and A Plus Tard subsequently combined for just three further wins, but they were all big ones – the 2020 Savills Chase, the 2021 Betfair Chase and that historic Gold Cup triumph at Cheltenham. Having picked the wrong one a year earlier, Blackmore stuck with A Plus Tard and was rewarded in sensational style as he accelerated up the Cheltenham hill to seal a 15-length verdict over Minella Indo to ensure Blackmore became the first woman to ride the winner of the blue riband. Envoi Allen Envoi Allen went unbeaten in his first 11 races for Gordon Elliott, but fell on his first start after joining Henry de Bromhead when bidding for a third Cheltenham Festival win back in 2021. It is fair to say results have been mixed for the Cheveley Park-owned gelding since, but Blackmore steered him to a trio of Grade One wins, including a brilliant victory in the 2023 Ryanair Chase. Allaho Blackmore's association with the Willie Mullins-trained Allaho was short and sweet – but equally brilliant. Another ace in the Cheveley Park pack, the nine-year-old was passed over by stable jockey Paul Townend in the 2021 Ryanair Chase in favour of stablemate Min. Despite that, strong market support for Allaho saw him sent off the 3-1 favourite and what followed was a demolition job as he devoured the fences from the front on his way to a 12-length success. Blackmore was again on board when he came off second best in a clash with another Mullins star in Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown the following month, but Patrick Mullins and Townend subsequently steered him to big-race success.
North Wales Chronicle
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Rachael Blackmore announces retirement from riding
The 35-year-old 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.' 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. '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.
South Wales Guardian
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Six star performers for Rachael Blackmore
Honeysuckle Honeysuckle and Blackmore were quite simply a match made in heaven. If one horse elevated the rider's career above all others, it was surely Kenny Alexander's magnificent mare, with the pair combining for a staggering haul of 17 wins from 19 starts over hurdles. She did not taste defeat in her first 16 outings, a run which included back-to-back victories in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham – and while her powers appeared to be on the wane after being beaten in her first two races of her final season, she brought the house down on her return to the Cotswolds when landing her second Mares' Hurdle on her swansong in 2023. Honeysuckle was immediately retired after going out in a blaze of glory. Minella Times Blackmore was already firmly established among National Hunt racing's elite riders ahead of the 2021 Grand National, but victory aboard Minella Times took her profile to another level, as her achievement in becoming the first female rider to win the world's most famous steeplechase made headlines around the world. Minella Times was brought down in his bid for back-to-back wins at Aintree the following season and was retired after three more outings, but his place in racing history is cemented. Minella Indo It may be hard to believe it now, but at the start of 2019, Rachael Blackmore had not even ridden a Grade One winner. Minella Indo set that particular record straight at that year's Cheltenham Festival as he ran out a shock 50-1 scorer in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. He went on to prove that was no fluke when doubling his top-level tally at Punchestown the following month and Blackmore would steer him to three chase wins in 2020. She did, of course, miss his big day when winning the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup after siding with his stablemate A Plus Tard, but we all know what happened 12 months later. A Plus Tard A Plus Tard provided Blackmore with her first Cheltenham Festival success when absolutely annihilating his rivals in the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase in 2019 – three days prior to Minella Indo's Albert Barlett win. Blackmore and A Plus Tard subsequently combined for just three further wins, but they were all big ones – the 2020 Savills Chase, the 2021 Betfair Chase and that historic Gold Cup triumph at Cheltenham. Having picked the wrong one a year earlier, Blackmore stuck with A Plus Tard and was rewarded in sensational style as he accelerated up the Cheltenham hill to seal a 15-length verdict over Minella Indo to ensure Blackmore became the first woman to ride the winner of the blue riband. Envoi Allen Envoi Allen went unbeaten in his first 11 races for Gordon Elliott, but fell on his first start after joining Henry de Bromhead when bidding for a third Cheltenham Festival win back in 2021. It is fair to say results have been mixed for the Cheveley Park-owned gelding since, but Blackmore steered him to a trio of Grade One wins, including a brilliant victory in the 2023 Ryanair Chase. Allaho Blackmore's association with the Willie Mullins-trained Allaho was short and sweet – but equally brilliant. Another ace in the Cheveley Park pack, the nine-year-old was passed over by stable jockey Paul Townend in the 2021 Ryanair Chase in favour of stablemate Min. Despite that, strong market support for Allaho saw him sent off the 3-1 favourite and what followed was a demolition job as he devoured the fences from the front on his way to a 12-length success. Blackmore was again on board when he came off second best in a clash with another Mullins star in Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown the following month, but Patrick Mullins and Townend subsequently steered him to big-race success.
