A native of Killinaule, Co. Tipperary, Rachael Blackmore rode her first winner in 2021, and turned professional aged 25 in 2015. The desire to be an amateur jockey was there, but the dream to succeed as a professional was even stronger.
Graced with passion, Rachael emerged as a star by breaking records, boundaries and highlighting the power of sport for the younger generation. There is no gender separation in racing. Men and women compete together on equal terms and Rachael Blackmore is some competitor. Since 2015, Rachael has rewritten racing’s history books. 2021 was a memorable year as she became the first female jockey to ride a winner in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Henry De Bromhead’s Honeysuckle going on to win the ‘Ruby Walsh Trophy’ for leading jockey, riding an incredible 6 winning horses at the festival.
Less than a month later, she continued to make history, becoming the first female to win what is widely regarded as horse racing’s biggest and toughest race, the Aintree Grand National. With 40 riders and 30 fences, Rachael captured the attention of the world as she rode Minella Times to victory in front of a global audience.
2021 also saw Rachael claim the BBC World Sport Star, RTE Sportsperson, Irish Times Sportswoman, Irish Independent Sportsperson, Her Sport Sportswoman and Horse Racing Ireland’s Racing Hero Awards.
