Rachael Blackmore, the trailblazing jump jockey who made history as the first woman to win the Grand National, has announced her retirement at the age of 35. The Irish rider revealed her decision in a statement on social media, saying her 'days of being a jockey have come to an end'. Blackmore bows out with an estimated £9 million in prize money, of which jockeys typically keep around ten per cent.
Blackmore's most famous victory came in 2021 when she rode Minella Times to win the Grand National, a feat that earned her the BBC World Sports Personality of the Year award. She followed that by becoming the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022 on A Plus Tard, and also won two Champion Hurdles on Honeysuckle. Her final Cheltenham Festival win came in March 2025 on Bob Olinger in the Stayers' Hurdle, taking her total Festival tally to 18.
In her personal life, Blackmore is in a relationship with fellow jockey Brian Hayes. The couple share a house in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow, with another jockey, Patrick Mullins. Despite their shared profession, Blackmore has said they rarely discuss racing at home. 'We don't talk about racing half as much as people think. It's just a normal house when we come home,' she told the Mirror.
Blackmore's decision to retire came after a season disrupted by a neck injury that kept her out from September until Christmas. She ended the campaign with 32 wins in Ireland, but had only one win from four rides this season before bowing out with a victory on Ma Belle Etoile at Cork last Saturday. In her retirement statement, she said: '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.'
