Latest news with #PJA
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
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."
The Independent
16-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Leading trainer Gordon Elliott provides tribute to Michael O'Sullivan
Leading trainer Gordon Elliott was among those paying tribute to Michael O'Sullivan following the rider's death at the age of 24 on Sunday morning. Elliott and the young jockey teamed up on multiple occasions, most notably with Jazzy Matty for victory in the 2023 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Elliott said: "It's a terrible tragedy for racing and today is about remembering Michael. We had some great moments on track together, including when winning at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. We send our deepest condolences to Michael's family, friends and colleagues." O'Sullivan was airlifted to hospital following a fall at Thurles on February 6 and had been in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital since. Andrew Coonan, secretary of the Irish Jockeys Association, hailed O'Sullivan's talent in the saddle and underlined the inherent risk of race-racing. He said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague, Michael. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his father, William, his mother, Bernadette, his brother, Alan and girlfriend, Charlotte. "Jockeys face the risks of race-riding every day, but it is only when a tragedy like this befalls us that those full risks are truly realised. Michael was not only a highly talented rider but also a great friend and colleague to many in the weighroom. We are all the richer for having known him, even though his time with us was far too short. "May Michael rest in peace." A statement from the Professional Jockeys Association in Britain read: "The PJA and its members are heartbroken to hear that jockey Michael O'Sullivan has died following injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles. "Michael was a very talented, popular rider and, with the weighing room being such a close-knit community, his passing will leave a profound sense of loss in Britain as well as Ireland. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael's family and friends, his weighing-room colleagues and the Irish racing community." Horse Racing Ireland's CEO Suzanne Eade added the authority's voice to a wave of tributes for the rider. She said: "My HRI colleagues and I share in the sadness of everyone at this morning's news of the passing of Michael O'Sullivan. "Everyone's thoughts are with Michael's parents William and Bernadette, his brother Alan, his wider family and with his many friends and colleagues. To them all, we offer our sincerest condolences. "Coming from a background steeped in racing, Michael made his start in the point-to-point field while a secondary school student and he made his name on the racecourse with a university degree under his belt. "A champion under-21 point-to-point rider, Michael began the 2022/2023 season as a 7lb claiming amateur and ended the term as our champion conditional jockey with three Grade One winners to his name. "Michael's talent shone through for big-race success on National Hunt racing's greatest stages. Michael was a gentleman. He was loved and respected by all who knew him, and everyone can be proud of his many achievements, both on and off the racecourse. "Michael will be much missed and he will be widely mourned. May he rest in peace." Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, also offered his condolences to O'Sullivan's friends and family. He said: "I was devastated to learn of the death of Michael O'Sullivan earlier today and speak for all involved in British racing when I say that our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends at this awful time. "The bonds between the British and Irish racing communities are deep and this unspeakable tragedy will doubtless have a profound impact on many people on both sides of the Irish Sea. "This has been an extremely difficult week for many in the racing family; support is available and I would urge anybody who feels they need this to reach out to their employer or representative body."
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Facilities 'discriminating' against female jockeys
The jockeys' union says "extended delays" to the upgrades of weighing room facilities is "prolonging discrimination" to female jockeys. In December, it emerged that 80% of British racecourses had missed a deadline to modernise facilities. These included providing additional private changing and shower facilities, communal eating areas and warm-up areas and new communal working areas for valets. The Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) wrote to its members this week saying it had received reports of "sub-standard race day facilities", including mould, flooding and overcrowded changing rooms. Its criticism came as the horse racing industry launched a new workforce strategy, acknowledging the need for a change in "culture" and "a more professional working environment". One of the targets of the Horseracing Industry People Board (HIPB)'s strategy is to "prioritise gender equality" and to "encourage and support our female workforce by removing barriers to remaining in the sport". Other activities will include an anti-sexual misconduct campaign, supporting employers with drug and alcohol testing, and the introduction of an employer quality standard. In 2021, racecourses were set targets to improve weighing room facilities. But just 13 of Britain's 59 racecourses met last October's deadline. The PJA said it had been told that "multiple Jockey Club venues will not commence work until 2028 at the earliest and may not be completed until 2030". It said: "These extended delays, which will prolong the ongoing discrimination faced by our female members, are unacceptable. Your patience and ours is running out and we will continue to fight to bring forward change. "We continue to receive reports, videos and photos of sub-standard race day facilities, including flooded shower and valet areas, mould, female overcrowding, electrical safety issues and failure to adhere to BHA (British Horseracing Authority) general instructions." The Racecourse Association (RCA) said it did not recognise 2027 as a new "agreed deadline", and said there were weekly meetings being held by the Weighing Room Development project group to "discuss, and ultimately progress, the development of weighing rooms at racecourses". Caroline Davies, RCA Racecourse Services Director: "The project group's records show that 20 racecourses will have completed the work by the end of 2025, with a further 12 by 2026. "As has previously been acknowledged, this multi-million pound development is a significant expenditure for racecourses at a time when resources are stretched over other essential programmes such as enhancing prize money and covering National Insurance increases. As such, a phased approach must be adopted." The new workforce strategy has been devised by the Horseracing Industry People Board (HIPB), and will not just cover racecourses but also training yards and stud farms. Julia Tyson, chair of the HIPB, said: "The workplace is not what should be expected in the 21st century." "We expect [the strategy] to deliver more, better-trained people who stay in the industry for longer. So recruit, develop, retain. "We expect to improve the workplace culture, we need to move into a more professional working environment, as many sports are doing. One that is based on dignity, respect and inclusion. "We expect to deliver a safer, healthier workforce, where people know it is safe to stay in the sport. "It is not a series of quick wins. It is a series of linked initiatives addressing both cause and effect." The BHA said: "Our jockeys are elite athletes performing in a professional sporting environment, so the facilities they use should be of an appropriately high standard, and fair and equal for competitors of all genders. "The BHA has made its position clear that the onus is on everyone with a stake in the project to upgrade racecourse changing facilities to now make it a reality. "In the meantime, interim requirements have been put in place which all racecourses are expected to meet. We would encourage any reports of instances where they are not to be flagged to the BHA" The Jockey Club says it has met the interim standards and is "totally committed" to delivering the "required and important" upgrades at its 15 tracks but the work amounted to millions of pounds and needed to be phased. "It is important to stress that separate changing rooms for male and female jockeys already exist at all UK racecourses and these requirements involve upgrading existing facilities," a spokesperson told the Racing Post. Latest horse racing results
BBC News
13-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Facilities 'discriminating' against female jockeys
The jockeys' union says "extended delays" to the upgrades of weighing room facilities is "prolonging discrimination" to female December, it emerged that 80% of British racecourses had missed a deadline to modernise included providing additional private changing and shower facilities, communal eating areas and warm-up areas and new communal working areas for Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) wrote to its members this week saying it had received reports of "sub-standard race day facilities", including mould, flooding and overcrowded changing criticism came as the horse racing industry launched a new workforce strategy, , externalacknowledging the need for a change in "culture" and "a more professional working environment".One of the targets of the Horseracing Industry People Board (HIPB)'s strategy is to "prioritise gender equality" and to "encourage and support our female workforce by removing barriers to remaining in the sport".Other activities will include an anti-sexual misconduct campaign, supporting employers with drug and alcohol testing, and the introduction of an employer quality 2021, racecourses were set targets to improve weighing room facilities. But just 13 of Britain's 59 racecourses met last October's PJA said it had been told that "multiple Jockey Club venues will not commence work until 2028 at the earliest and may not be completed until 2030".It said: "These extended delays, which will prolong the ongoing discrimination faced by our female members, are unacceptable. Your patience and ours is running out and we will continue to fight to bring forward change."We continue to receive reports, videos and photos of sub-standard race day facilities, including flooded shower and valet areas, mould, female overcrowding, electrical safety issues and failure to adhere to BHA (British Horseracing Authority) general instructions."The Racecourse Association (RCA) said it did not recognise 2027 as a new "agreed deadline", and said there were weekly meetings being held by the Weighing Room Development project group to "discuss, and ultimately progress, the development of weighing rooms at racecourses".Caroline Davies, RCA Racecourse Services Director: "The project group's records show that 20 racecourses will have completed the work by the end of 2025, with a further 12 by 2026."As has previously been acknowledged, this multi-million pound development is a significant expenditure for racecourses at a time when resources are stretched over other essential programmes such as enhancing prize money and covering National Insurance increases. As such, a phased approach must be adopted." Workplace 'not what should be expected in 21st century' The new workforce strategy has been devised by the Horseracing Industry People Board (HIPB), and will not just cover racecourses but also training yards and stud Tyson, chair of the HIPB, said: "The workplace is not what should be expected in the 21st century.""We expect [the strategy] to deliver more, better-trained people who stay in the industry for longer. So recruit, develop, retain."We expect to improve the workplace culture, we need to move into a more professional working environment, as many sports are doing. One that is based on dignity, respect and inclusion."We expect to deliver a safer, healthier workforce, where people know it is safe to stay in the sport."It is not a series of quick wins. It is a series of linked initiatives addressing both cause and effect."The BHA said: "Our jockeys are elite athletes performing in a professional sporting environment, so the facilities they use should be of an appropriately high standard, and fair and equal for competitors of all genders."The BHA has made its position clear that the onus is on everyone with a stake in the project to upgrade racecourse changing facilities to now make it a reality."In the meantime, interim requirements have been put in place which all racecourses are expected to meet. We would encourage any reports of instances where they are not to be flagged to the BHA"The Jockey Club says it has met the interim standards and is "totally committed" to delivering the "required and important" upgrades at its 15 tracks but the work amounted to millions of pounds and needed to be phased."It is important to stress that separate changing rooms for male and female jockeys already exist at all UK racecourses and these requirements involve upgrading existing facilities," a spokesperson told the Racing Post.
