Rachael Blackmore, the trailblazing jockey who made history as the first woman to win the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup, has been back at Cheltenham Festival this week—but this time as a spectator. The 36-year-old retired from racing last year and is now expecting her first child with fellow jockey Brian Hayes, whom she married in January.
Blackmore announced her pregnancy in February in an unconventional way: she posted a photo on social media showing a buggy box in the boot of her car, captioned: "Boot contents looking a little bit different now." She debuted her baby bump at Cheltenham this week, wearing a cosy brown jumper, blue trench coat, and black shades. Speaking about the upcoming birth, she admitted riding at Cheltenham was more nerve-wracking than becoming a mother, saying: "The whole giving birth thing I haven't given an overly massive thought to yet."
Blackmore and Hayes married in January in Rosscarbery, County Cork, followed by a party in Cavan. Hayes, also a jockey, won his maiden festival victory in 2023 on Impervious in the Mares' Chase. Blackmore once revealed they "don't talk about racing half as much as people think" at home.
Blackmore retired from racing 10 months ago after a final ride aboard Ma Belle Etoile at Cork, which she won. In a statement, she said: "My days of being a jockey have come to an end. 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." She thanked her parents, who "provided me with the best childhood, and a pony I couldn't hold!"
During her career, Blackmore amassed 18 Cheltenham winners, including the Champion Hurdle twice on Honeysuckle and the 2024 Champion Chase on Captain Guinness. She became the first female to win the conditional riders' championship in Ireland in 2017.
