Latest news with #RachaelBlackmore
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Rachel Blackmore's retirement
Sir, – Would I be alone in losing interest in Irish horse racing after the recent retirement of Rachael Blackmore? I would eagerly scan the runners and riders to see if 'herself' was on board and then making a mental note to see how she did in the results section the following day. As an retiree with no background in horseracing I avidly read the sports pages but they are a little less interesting now that she has gone. I suspect there are a few like me. – Yours, etc, IAIN KENNEDY, READ MORE Co Fermanagh.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Rachael Blackmore gives fans rare glimpse into her life with boyfriend and pals after shock retirement aged 35
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT THAT'S MORE LIKE IT Rachael Blackmore gives fans rare glimpse into her life with boyfriend and pals after shock retirement aged 35 RACHAEL BLACKMORE has shared several snaps of herself enjoying life in retirement. The legendary jockey, 35, surprisingly announced that she was calling it quits earlier this month. Advertisement 6 Rachael Blackmore has posted several pictures on Instagram Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 Blackmore poses with boyfriend Brian Hayes Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 Th former jockey has enjoyed evenings out with pals Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael Since retiring, Blackmore has been spending time with family and friends. In her Instagram post earlier today, the Irish superstar shared pictures of herself with pals, as well as boyfriend Brian Hayes. Some of her pictures showed her at swanky restaurants. While another saw her pose trackside. Advertisement READ MORE IN RACING FALL GUY Probe launched into jockey's fall off leading horse at last jump amid punter fury During her illustrious career, Blackmore secured 575 wins as a jockey. Blackmore also made history at the 2021 Grand National, winning the race aboard Minella Times. The triumph marked the first time that a woman had ever won the prestigious race. She was also the first woman to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard in 2022. Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 6 Blackmore announced her retirement earlier this month Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 The Irish superstar has had plenty of fun since quitting racing Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael This was one of 18 winners she achieved at Cheltenham. Advertisement Announcing her decision, Blackmore said: "My days of being a jockey have come to an end. 'Fantastic time' - Rachael Blackmore & Paul Townend share backstage sneak peek of Late Late Show experience '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. '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. Advertisement "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.'
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Rachael Blackmore gives fans rare glimpse into her life with boyfriend and pals after shock retirement aged 35
RACHAEL BLACKMORE has shared several snaps of herself enjoying life in retirement. The legendary jockey, 35, surprisingly announced that she was calling it quits earlier this month. 6 Rachael Blackmore has posted several pictures on Instagram Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 Blackmore poses with boyfriend Brian Hayes Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 Th former jockey has enjoyed evenings out with pals Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael Since retiring, In her Instagram post earlier today, the Irish superstar shared pictures of herself with pals, as well as boyfriend Brian Hayes. Some of her pictures showed her at swanky restaurants. While another saw her pose trackside. READ MORE IN RACING During her illustrious career, Blackmore secured 575 wins as a jockey. Blackmore also made history at the 2021 Grand National, winning the race aboard Minella Times. The triumph marked the first time that a woman had ever won the prestigious race. She was also the first woman to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard in 2022 . Most read in Horse Racing BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 6 Blackmore announced her retirement earlier this month Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael 6 The Irish superstar has had plenty of fun since quitting racing Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael This was one of 18 winners she achieved at Cheltenham. Announcing her decision, Blackmore said: "My days of being a jockey have come to an end. 'Fantastic time' - Rachael Blackmore & Paul Townend share backstage sneak peek of Late Late Show experience '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. '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.' 6 Blackmore poses for a picture trackside Credit: Instagram @blackmorerachael
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Rachael Blackmore gives fans rare glimpse into her life with boyfriend and pals after shock retirement aged 35
RACHAEL BLACKMORE has shared several snaps of herself enjoying life in retirement. The legendary jockey, 35, surprisingly announced that she was calling it quits earlier this month. 6 6 6 Since retiring, Blackmore has been spending time with family and friends. In her Instagram post earlier today, the Irish superstar shared pictures of herself with pals, as well as boyfriend Brian Hayes. Some of her pictures showed her at swanky restaurants. While another saw her pose trackside. During her illustrious career, Blackmore secured 575 wins as a jockey. Blackmore also made history at the 2021 Grand National, winning the race aboard Minella Times. The triumph marked the first time that a woman had ever won the prestigious race. She was also the first woman to in 2022. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 6 6 This was one of 18 winners she achieved at Cheltenham. Announcing her decision, Blackmore said: "My days of being a jockey have come to an end. 'Fantastic time' - Rachael Blackmore & Paul Townend share backstage sneak peek of Late Late Show experience '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. '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.'
Irish Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rachael Blackmore observation made as jockey makes retirement admission
The praise continues to come for Rachael Blackmore following her decision to retire from the saddle. The jockey announced last week that she was stepping down as a jockey with immediate effect. She expanded on her decision in an interview with Betfair on Tuesday, admitting she first had thoughts of retiring at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Blackmore was a true trailblazer, winning the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle among a host of other historic firsts. '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?',' she told Betfair. '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 until June and get to the jockeys' break. I'd think about it all then.' Blackmore's last winner aboard Ma Belle Etoile at Cork in early May and confirmed her decision, with the jockey announcing her retirement the following day. 'I was going to Cork the other day and I thought: 'If this one wins then maybe that's the time to call it',' she said. 'She won and, the following morning, I fully decided that was it.' 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. The Tipperary native does not have an immediate plan for the next step in her career, and will adapt to a different lifestyle before considering what to turn her hand to. '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,' she said. 'It will be a very different life to the one I had previously." People have been taking to social media in their droves to pay tribute to Blackmore, who has been hailed as a class act both on and off the track. One person wrote: "Rachael Blackmore top class in and out of the saddle, incredible career." Sanctuary Runners Ireland said: "We salute the amazing Rachael Blackmore this week as she announces her retirement. A class act on the track and off it - she supported a campaign we ran with @UNHCRIreland back in 2020." Legendary trainer Aidan O'Brien said Blackmore was a "legend in her own lifetime". Former jockey Katie Walsh stated: "She had a great way of reading races, she was strong both physically and mentally and would line up there with the best of them every day of the week and she was just an inspiration as a human being, she was just absolutely brilliant."
