Tipperary Jockey Rachel Blackmore is to retire from racing at the age of 35. Ms Blackmore created history during her career becoming the first female jockey to win the Aintree Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and was also the first female jockey to be the leading jockey at the Cheltenham National Hunt festival of racing – all achievements in 2021.
The daughter of a teacher and a farmer, Rachel Blackmore grew up on a dairy farm in Killenaule and first started riding ponies at just two years of age. Growing up she took part in pony club meetings, hunting, eventing and pony racing. She gained a degree in equine science at the University of Limerick.
Announcing her retirement yesterday Ms Blackmore is thanking everyone that helped and supported her during her career especially trainer Shark O’Hanlon for whom she had her first winner in Thurles in 2010.
Ms Blackmore has written a children’s book with Rachel Peirce that was published on May 8th which she says has been 3 years in the making – the book titled “Granny National” tells the story of granny who wants to be a jockey.
Ms Blackmore says she now has to create a new identity for herself after retiring from racing.
