Rachael Blackmore, the former champion jockey, has been handed a six-day suspension for a whip rule breach at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. The 36-year-old, who retired in May last year, was referred to the British Horseracing Authority's Whip Referral Committee after using the whip once more than the permitted seven times in the Ultima Handicap Chase on the first day of the meeting.
Blackmore was riding The Short Go, which finished fifth out of 24 runners, when the infringement occurred. The panel noted that Blackmore had not committed a whip breach in 75 races in Great Britain, leading to a reduced penalty. The suspension runs from Friday, March 28, to Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Despite the ban, Blackmore enjoyed a successful meeting, winning two races including the Stayers' Hurdle aboard Bob Olinger. She completed a full set of open championship races at Cheltenham with that victory. Blackmore was the first female jockey to win the Grand National and has an impressive Cheltenham record, including the Gold Cup and multiple Champion Hurdles.
Blackmore recently spoke about attending the festival as a retired jockey. She told the Daily Mail: "Part of me isn't going to enjoy the week massively. I love racing; I love riding and this week in March has been such a spike, the pinnacle for the last few years. That's not going to be there this week." She is now expecting her first child with husband and fellow jockey Brian Hayes.
Two other jockeys were also penalised for whip offences on the first day of the 2025 festival. Sean Flanagan received a four-day suspension, while Tom Harney was handed a 12-day ban for exceeding the whip limit and misuse. The Cheltenham Festival 2026 is scheduled for March 10-13.
