Champion jockey Rachael Blackmore has given birth to her first child, a baby boy named Bowie Martin Hayes, with husband Brian Hayes. The couple, who married in January, announced the arrival on Instagram on Wednesday, sharing a black-and-white photograph of the newborn nestled against her chest.
Blackmore, 35, retired from horse racing last year after a historic career that included becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National and the first woman to be crowned leading jockey at Cheltenham. She amassed 575 victories during her professional career.
The couple, who have known each other for over a decade after meeting at a training yard in Carlow, previously lived with fellow jockey Patrick Mullins. In her retirement statement last May, Blackmore paid tribute to Hayes, saying he was 'more important to my career than I'll ever be able to thank him for.'
Blackmore announced her pregnancy in February, posting a picture of her car with a baby pram in the boot. The couple's wedding in West Cork was a low-key affair, reflecting their preference for privacy.
