Rachael Blackmore – Grand National Jockeys 2025 To Watch
Rachael Blackmore is a genuine racing trailblazer. The superstar Irish jockey became the first female to win the Aintree Grand National in 2021. Her triumphant success on Minella Times demonstrated she’s got the skill and confidence required to guide a horse around the marathon Aintree trip. She went into the 2024 Grand National fresh from another successful showing at the Cheltenham, having bagged two wins at the year’s most popular jumps festival. She rode Slade Steel to victory in the festival opener on Tuesday and won the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Captain Guinness. Rachael Blackmore will be hoping to have good form going into the 2025 Grand National.
Who is Rachael Blackmore?
Rachael Blackmore is a trailblazing Irish jockey renowned for her remarkable talent and determination. Born in County Tipperary, Ireland, Blackmore discovered her passion for horse racing at a young age and pursued her dreams of becoming a jockey with unwavering dedication.
Breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sport, Blackmore has shattered stereotypes and cemented her status as one of the leading jumps jockeys in the world. Her remarkable career highlights include becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National, riding Minella Times to a famous victory at Aintree in 2021.
Known for her exceptional skill in the saddle and strategically astute tactics, Blackmore has amassed many fans and earned the respect of her peers within the racing community. With numerous victories to her name, including multiple wins at the Cheltenham Festival, she continues to inspire aspiring jockeys and captivate racing enthusiasts worldwide.
Rachael Blackmore Grand National Record
Rachael Blackmore made her Grand National debut on Alpha Des Obeaux in 2017. The highlight of her record is an extraordinary victory in 2021. The Irish jockey’s complete Grand National record is listed below.
| Year | Horse | Trainer | SP | Finishing Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Minella Indo | Henry De Bromhead | 28/1 | 3rd |
| 2023 | Ain’t That A Shame | Henry De Bromhead | 10/1 | 17th |
| 2022 | Minella Times | Henry De Bromhead | 9/1 | Fell at fence 9. |
| 2021 | Minella Times | Henry De Bromhead | 11/1 | Won |
| 2019 | Valseur Lido | Henry De Bromhead | 66/1 | 10th |
| 2018 | Alpha Des Obeaux | Michael Morris | 33/1 | Fell at Fence 15. |
Rachael Blackmore 2023/24 Jumps Racing Record & Notable Wins
The current jumps racing season started in April 2023 and will conclude after the Grand National in April 2024. A jockey’s form is one way to identify a potential National winner. Rachael Blackmore continued to ride for Irish trainer Henry De Bromhead this year, and got two wins at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. Her complete season record and some notable wins from 2023/24 are listed below.
Rachael Blackmore 2023/24 Jumps Record
| Country | Rides | Wins | 2nd | Even Stake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 347 | 53 | 57 | -127.5 |
| UK | 34 | 4 | 5 | -2.5 |
| Total | 381 | 57 | 62 | -130.0 |
Odds listed are correct at 4pm 25th April 2024.
Rachael Blackmore 2023/24 Notable Wins
| Date | Horse | SP | Race | Grade | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/03/24 | Captain Guinness | 17/2 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Grade 1 | Cheltenham |
| 12/03/24 | Slade Steel | 7/2 | Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Cheltenham |
| 04/02/24 | Heart Wood | 6/1 | O’Driscolls Whiskey Handicap | Grade 3 | Leopardstown |
| 01/01/24 | Bob Olinger | 6/4F | Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle | Grade 2 | Cheltenham |
| 18/11/23 | Captain Guiness | 3/1 | Bar One Racing Fortria Chase | Grade 2 | Navan |
| 18/11/23 | Bob Olinger | 15/8 | Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle | Grade 2 | Navan |
Rachael Blackmore Biggest Career Race Wins
Rachael Blackmore has shot to the top of the sport since making her debut just a few years ago. Her victory in the 2021 Grand National grabs most of the headlines, but she has several impressive wins to her name, many of which came in premier racing contests. That includes several victories at the year’s biggest jumps meeting. She made another piece of racing history at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, becoming the first female to be the festival’s top jockey.
Here’s a list of her biggest horse racing wins to date.
| Date | Horse | SP | Race | Grade | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/03/24 | Captain Guinness | 17/2 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Grade 1 | Cheltenham |
| 18/03/22 | A Plus Tard | 3/1F | Gold Cup | Grade 1 | Cheltenham |
| 15/03/22 | Honeysuckle | 11/8F | Champion Hurdle | Grade 1 | Cheltenham |
| 28/04/21 | Minella Indo | 5/1 | Punchestown Gold Cup | Grade 1 | Punchestown |
| 10/04/21 | Minella Times | 11/1 | Grand National | Grade 3 | Aintree |
| 16/03/21 | Honeysuckle | 11/2 | Champion Hurdle | Grade 1 | Cheltenham |
| 31/01/21 | Honeysuckle | 9/10F | Irish Champion Hurdle | Grade 1 | Leopardstown |
| 29/04/20 | Honeysuckle | 9/4F | Mares’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Punchestown |
| 10/03/20 | Put The Kettle On | 9/1 | Arkle Trophy | Grade 1 | Cheltenham |
| 22/04/19 | Burrows Saint | 6/1 | Irish Grand National | Grade A | Fairyhouse |
Rachael Blackmore Grand National FAQs
Has Rachael Blackmore won the Grand National?
Yes, Rachael Blackmore won the Grand National in 2021. She guided Minella Times to victory in the year’s biggest race, becoming the first female jockey to win the iconic Aintree contest.
Has Rachael Blackmore won the Irish Grand National?
No, Rachael Blackmore has not won the Irish Grand National. The trailblazing Irish Jockey has had multiple runs in the Fairyhouse race but is yet to secure a win.
Which horse did Rachael Blackmore win the Grand National on?
Rachael Blackmore rode Minella Times in her history-making 2021 Grand National victory.
What is Rachael Blackmore’s biggest horse racing win?
Her Grand National Victory in 2021 was undoubtedly the biggest win of her racing career to date. She became the first female jockey to win the year’s biggest race. Her multiple victories at Cheltenham, which includes a Gold Cup, should come next on her extensive list of wins.
Has a female jockey ever won the Grand National?
Yes, in 2021, Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National.
How much does the Grand National winner get?
The winning jockey of the Grand National receives a share of the prize money awarded to the winning horse’s connections. In recent years, the total prize fund for the Grand National has been around £1 million, with the winner’s share being a significant portion of that amount. The exact amount the winning jockey receives varies depending on the specific arrangements made between them and the horse’s owner.
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