Latest news with #PaddyPowerStayers'Hurdle
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.
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Rachael Blackmore shares funny perk of being in relationship with fellow jockey Brian Hayes amid retirement bombshell
RACHAEL Blackmore outlined a funny perk of being in a relationship with another jockey mere hours before announcing her retirement. Monday brought with it her bombshell announcement that she was Advertisement 3 She completed the 'Big Four Set' at this year's Cheltenham Festival when she won the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle aboard Bob Olinger 3 She's won over €9million in prize money over her entire career 3 She mostly keeps her life with boyfriend Brian Hayes very much private 24 hours previous she had appeared on In between each musical interlude, the generally private Tipperary native shared snippets from her personal life from going up on a farm to her time as a student in UCD. At one juncture, O'Connor enquired about The 35-year-old insisted their chats don't revolve around horse racing as much as people assume when two people from within the industry are dating. Advertisement Read More On Irish Sport She did, however, quip about one lovely benefit to them being in the same line of work. The trailblazer told "But we don't talk about racing half as much as people think we might. "We both understand what it's like to be a jockey and yeah I suppose I don't really know any different." Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing She doesn't know any different as she's been a jockey for almost half her life. In bringing the curtain down on her 16-year stint as one, Aidan O'Brien 'fires shots' at rivals as superstar horse is slashed for Epsom and the Arc after Ryan Moore masterclass She became the first female jockey to Blackmore also became the first female to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard in 2022, one of 18 winners at the Cheltenham Festival. Advertisement She rider spent three months on the sidelines with a neck injury earlier this year and she struggled for form when she returned to the saddle. But she ended up having another hugely successful season and completed a clean-sweep of the four flagship Cheltenham Festival races when winning the Stayers' Hurdle on Bob Olinger in March. She also Reflecting on her rise to the top in a heartfelt retirement statement, de Bromhead was one of two trainers she reserved special gratitude for. Advertisement PARTICULAR PRAISE She recalled: "I rode my first winner for (John) 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 "Eddie got me in the door at Knockeen, and what came next was unimaginable: Advertisement "He's a phenomenal trainer, who brought out the best in me. Without Henry, my story is very different. "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."
The Star
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Horse racing-Trailblazing female jockey Blackmore retires
FILE PHOTO: Horse Racing - Cheltenham Festival - Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Britain - March 13, 2025 Rachael Blackmore riding Bob Olinger celebrates with the trophy after winning the 16:00 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) - Trailblazing jockey Rachael Blackmore has retired from racing with immediate effect, the 35-year-old said on Monday. Ireland's Blackmore made history in 2021 when she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National when she rode Minella Times to victory at Aintree. "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," Blackmore said in a statement. "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." A year after winning the Grand National, Blackmore made more history by winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, one of 18 career wins she had at the festival. "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," she said. "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." Blackmore, who trained to become a vet, rode her first winner in 2011 when she was an amateur. Her 575th and last victory was last Saturday in Cork. (Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Proud Rachael Blackmore celebrates huge milestone after conquering next chapter of post-racing life
RACHAEL Blackmore yesterday marked the release of her children's book with a proud snap of it lining shelves at Eason. She had 4 Blackmore is one of the most successful jockeys in Irish and British horse racing 4 She's now also a published author Credit: @BLACKMORERACHAEL 4 Her book Granny National was released in stores nationwide on Thursday Credit: @BLACKMORERACHAEL 4 She shared this photo after proudly observing her creation in the kids section in an Eason shop Credit: @BLACKMORERACHAEL The 35-year-old was clearly in buoyant form as she quipped: "Available now in all good and bad bookshops." It's a children's book entitled Granny National and was co-written by Rachel Pierce. Its retail price is €13.99. The Tipperary 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. In total, three years of work has gone into it. Read More On Irish Sport While this project may indicate Blackmore has half an eye on her post-riding career, she remains one of the best around in the saddle. This year 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. Most read in Horse Racing Afterwards she remained as modest as ever, insisting: "I am very lucky to get one these horses. He's brilliant. "He's got so much speed and he was able to use it there today. Watch terrifying moment Molly Mae 'blacks out' as she is thrown from a horse and left 'lucky to be alive' "We went a good gallop, a nice gallop and he still was able to pick up off the back." Owner Brian Acheson said of Bob Olinger: "He's the dude. He's the third child. I'm fed up of saying it. There's Courtney, there's Rob, and then there's Bob. "He is the one guy that makes me emotional all the time. To have a special horse like that. I am going to start crying. "He was our first Cheltenham winner in the Covid year when we weren't here. "Him in this place and him in Rachael, it is just magical, it really is. The two of them just get it and they get each other." It came on a poignant day for the Blackmore family, who had She had started the day by winning the Mares' Novices' Hurdle on the back of Air Of Entitlement. The horse was a 16/1 outsider and pipped favourite Sixandahalf on the line in stunning fashion. In a classy move, she dedicated the triumph to her cousin Robert after his sad death. The 2021 Grand National champion said to ITV: "I just want to dedicate this to my cousin Robert Blackmore, who passed away at the weekend and his funeral is today."
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Cheltenham Festival tips: Gold Cup odds, experts' best bets and 13 horses to watch on day four
The Cheltenham Festival is back, and neither snow nor rain will keep the horses from running. Races continue as we gear up for the weekend, with one of the most hotly anticipated races of the event coming in the shape of Friday evening's Gold Cup, where Galopin Des Champs is eyeing up a history-making third title. He would be just the fifth horse to manage the feat. Day three was not short of entertainment as Bob Olinger took an unlikely win in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle and rank outsider Air Of Entitlement was first over the line in the day's opening race. Friday, though, promises to be among the best of the weekend so far. The last race of the day will see one of the Festival's highest-rated horses in Kopeck de Mee vie for a first title of the weekend in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle. The Gold Cup will, of course, be the event of the day, though the question will be whether Galopin Des Champs can be upset by the likes of Banbridge and Inothewayurthinking. Our racing expert Sam Turner will be at Cheltenham all week, plus legendary former jockey Ruby Walsh has shared his tips with Paddy Power while Oli Bell and Ed Chamberlin have given their Thursday picks to Sky Bet: Day four, Gold Cup – Friday, 14 March 1.20: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m1f | 8 hurdles | New Course Ruby Walsh's tip: East India Dock (2/1) 'Willie Mullins has 11 runners in this race and Paul Townend has opted for Lady Vega Allen. He's the top one for Willie but I fancy East India Dock. I really liked his win on Cheltenham Trials Day. I love the way he jumps, I love his attitude and the way he tries. He's gutsy, he's tough and he can get the better of Lulamba.' Sam Turner's tip: East India Dock (2/1) 'A larger field than in recent years with Willie Mullins saddling nearly two thirds of an 18-strong contingent. Britain provides just six of the runners, but they look to boast a stranglehold with East India Dock and Ascot winner Lulamba both holding strong claims. The former gains the nod as he was a highly talented flat performer when trained by James Fanshawe and he has carried that level on to his new vocation, winning twice in highly impressive fashion at today's venue, including by 10 lengths last time. Of those at bigger prices, recent Gowran scorer Blue Lemons could outrun his odds.' Ruby Walsh's tip: Ndaawi (14/1) 'I expect the winner to come from one of the five-year-olds like Lark In The Mornin, Kargese, Ndaawi and Ethical Diamond. I can see why Paul has gone for Kargese and while he could go close, the price is gone unfortunately. Gordon Elliott's Ndaawi is a bigger price and he offers more value. He's five and he looks ahead of the handicapper.' Sam Turner's tip: Valgrand (13/2) 'Kargese has been well found in the market – her price collapsed as soon as Paul Townend was confirmed as rider – but her form in last year's Triumph Hurdle and at Aintree behind Sir Gino makes her an enticing prospect off her current mark. Last year's winner Absurde wouldn't be out of place in a Champion Hurdle, while another Closutton inmate, Ethical Diamond, has been well touted for this race. Willie Mullins or Dan Skelton have won nine of the last 10 runnings so the lightly raced Valgrand narrowly gains the vote providing the ground remains on the good side. Given the form of Gary & Josh Moore and with bookmakers offering enhanced place terms, Hansard also catches the eye with the cheekpieces applied.' 'I'm with Dinoblue but I'm not massively confident! This could be another race where we get a bit of a surprise.' Sam Turner's tip: Dinoblue (11/10) 'Dinoblue sets a good standard here and ought to atone for her narrow defeat in this event 12 months ago. She was ridden to see out the trip on that occasion and arguably gave Limerick Lace a little too much rope at the head of affairs. She warmed up for Cheltenham with a snug defeat of Allegorie De Vassy at Naas and must surely go close again. Limerick Lace has been struggling to recapture last year's form but the cheekpieces maybe the catalyst to an improved showing.' 3.20: Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £150,000 | 3m | 12 hurdles | New course Ruby Walsh's tip: Jasmin De Vaux (8/1); Argento Boy (each way) (12/1) 'Jasmin De Vaux needs to improve but the track will help with his jumping. He has a great chance and Argento Boy could be worth keeping on side at a bigger price. Rachael Blackmore rides and he wasn't that far behind The Big Westerner in a maiden hurdle at the end of last year. He's an each-way play but the race should shape up perfectly for Jasmin De Vaux.' Sam Turner's tip: Jet Blue (6/1) 'The Big Westerner has a pedigree to win this given she is a half-sister to 2023 winner Stay Away Fay and she was highly impressive in graded company at Limerick on Boxing Day. However, racing experience can be a valuable attribute in this race so Jet Blue gains the vote as he won with a degree of authority here on his debut for new connections, improving markedly for the step up to three miles. Intense Approach is another with abundant experience and he relishes good ground so could prove a threat with Sean Bowen on board.' Oli Bell and Ed Chamberlin's tip: Derryhassen Paddy (17/2) Oli Bell: 'My bet of the day comes in the Albert Bartlett trained by Lucinda Russell, who's already a winner here at Cheltenham with Myretown. I love Derryhassen Paddy – I love this horse, I think his run at Windsor when he won was really good cause I don't think he handled the track and he's a big price. I think he'll run well. Lucinda Russell does brilliantly with these types of horses. He's my big, big fancy on Gold Cup Day, which should be like the rest of the week here at Cheltenham, absolutely incredible.' Ed Chamberlin: 'Day 4, best bet of the day. I don't agree on many things with Oli Bell – he could be like an annoying younger brother, but unfortunately I do on this, and that's Derryhassen Paddy in the Albert Bartlett. I think Lucinda Russell thinks this horse might be the best she's ever had. She's had some very good horses – looks a decent price.' Ruby Walsh's tip: Galopin Des Champs (8/15) 'I hope Galopin Des Champs wins as he's an incredible horse. Inothewayurthinkin is the danger to him as he's guaranteed to stay and he'll come home well. Galopin Des Champs should win as he should have far too many gears for the rest of these. A forecast of Galopin Des Champs to beat Inothewayurthinkin could be an extra value pick.' Sam Turner's tip: Galopin Des Champs (8/15) 'A week ago, the prospect of a soft surface and a real test at the trip looked to be perfect conditions for Galopin Des Champs to complete an historic hat-trick in the blue riband event. However, a dry forecast and the likelihood of spring ground have enhanced the chances of King George hero Banbridge seeing out today's trip, while the supplemented Inothewayurthinkin, seven lengths behind Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown, has added further depth to a race which looked a little thin on competition a fortnight ago. The reigning champion should still have too much class for this field as he is so tactically versatile and jumps brilliantly in the main, although after some of the high- profile jumping failures this week, nothing is taken for granted. The best outsiders look to be Ahoy Senior, who is reported in good shape following a wind operation, and The Real Whacker who wasn't disgraced behind Banbridge on Boxing Day at Kempton. Backing them each-way in the markets without the favourite could be the way to go.' Oli Bell's tip: Galopin Des Champs (8/15) Oli Bell: 'Friday at Cheltenham, Gold Cup Day, the blue ribbon of the week where Galopin Des Champs is hoping to make history and win three Gold Cups. I think he'll do it – I love the horse, and I think he deserves his place in the pantheon of Cheltenham greats.' 4.40: St James's Place Hunter Chase (Listed) Race conditions: £50 | 2m4½f | 17 fences | New Course Ruby Walsh's tip: Angels Dawn (NAP) (10/3) 'Angels Dawn's form at Cheltenham is outstanding. She won the Kim Muir a couple of years ago and she would have placed in last year's race if she didn't fall two out. I'll keep her on side.' Sam Turner's tip: Fairly Famous (10/1) 'Another big field for backers to sift through, but the vibes for previous Festival scorer Angels Dawn are strong and she arrives here in great form again having won both her starts in points this term, including a decisive defeat of the well-regarded Ryehill who reopposes. The drier ground will play to the strengths of the progressive Willitgoahead who impressed with his jumping at Thurles last time, while a sounder surface should also showcase the abilities of Fairly Famous who is unbeaten in two starts at this venue and could spring a mini surprise for his talented trainer/rider.' Ruby Walsh's tip: Kopeck De Mee (9/4) 'Kopeck De Mee is better than a 136 horse but it's hard to know how good he actually is! All of his form in France has been on soft ground though. The question is how much better than a mark of 136 does he need to be to win this race. He has a great mentality and he'll be an easy ride. I'm not going to go against him.' Sam Turner's tip: Doyen Quest (28/1) 'Punters must wait until the final race for one of the biggest hype horses of the meeting, Kopeck De Mee. The five-year-old has yet to race outside of France but has accumulated a strong body of work in his native country prior to joining Willie Mullins, with the perception being he is a very well-handicapped horse. Wodhooh has had this race as her target since a smooth course and distance success before Christmas where the talented duo Joyeuse and Take No Chances were among her victims. Others which catch the eye in a highly competitive affair include No Questions Asked and The Enabler with the latter expected to improve for the return to today's trip. Doyen Quest also looks hugely overpriced with the cheekpieces applied given he beat Gowel Road comfortably here before Christmas.'
