Rachael Blackmore’s Greatest Victories
At the age of just 35, Irish racing legend Rachael Blackmore has officially hung up her saddle. The Irish superstar’s retirement marks the end of a career that has been nothing short of revolutionary. She wasn’t just a jockey; she was a pioneer who redefined what was possible for women in the sport.
At present, much of the spotlight in the racing world is shining on some huge upcoming battles. In the UK, the Triple Crown is well underway following Ruling Court’s impressive 2000 Guineas victory, and now horse racing betting providers make him a contender to go on and secure victory in both the Epsom Derby and September’s St. Leger. Over in the States, fans are looking forward to an end-of-year Breeders’ Cup battle between Journalism and Sovereignty, with the latest horse racing betting at Bovada odds pricing them at +500 and +800 respectively to win the richest prize in American racing.
But perhaps more of a spotlight should be placed on the departing Blackmore. The County Tipperary-born trailblazer will now ride off into the sunset after a mighty 575 professional victories. Those triumphs helped her secure an Honorary MBE in 2023 as well as the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year award two years prior. But which of those almost 600 triumphs were the most impressive?
Let’s find out.
Back-to-Back Champion Hurdle Wins on Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore were a match made in heaven. Together, the pair forged a partnership that rewrote the record books, firstly with back-to-back wins in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, then claiming the 2020 Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham. But it was the superstar duo’s exploits in the 2021 and 2022 trips to Gloucestershire that truly stole the show.
The first of their legendary victories came in the Champion Hurdle during a strange and silent festival held behind closed doors due to global events. But while it did its best, the absence of spectators did nothing to dull the historic moment. On board the wonder mare, Blackmore delivered a flawless performance, leaving her rivals in Honeysuckle’s wake. She crossed the finish line six and a half lengths ahead, making history as the first female jockey to win the storied race.
A year later and the devastating double act returned, and this time, they had a raucous crowd cheering them on. Once again, they delivered, much to the delight of the thousands of spectators in attendance who had backed the ringing champion into a spot as the 8/11 favorite at the off. The pair’s seamless connection was on full display as the greatest all-female link-up in racing history romped clear of the field, claiming a second straight title in dominant fashion.
2021 Grand National Triumph on Minella Times
The Grand National is arguably one of the most iconic races on the planet, primarily due to its gruelling nature, and in 2021, Blackmore etched her name into the annals of its storied history. On board Minella Times, the Irish sensation became the first woman to win the race in its 182-year history. The Henry de Bromhead-trained horse was the 11/1 second-favorite to get the job done at Aintree, and it truly lived up to the billing across the marathon of 30 giant fences.
After a close battle with 100/1 shot Balko Des Flos, Blackmore and Minella Times surged ahead near the finish, sealing a landmark victory by more than six lengths. For the jockey, it wasn’t just about the win; it was about shattering centuries-old perceptions. “I don’t feel male or female right now. I don’t even feel human,” she famously said after crossing the finish line.
2022 Gold Cup with A Plus Tard
If there was one race missing from Blackmore’s glittering resume, it was the Cheltenham Gold Cup – the biggest race in the Cheltenham Festival, which is another of the world’s most popular horse racing events. After several failed attempts to claim the coveted trophy, one of the best female jockeys that’s ever lived finally had her moment in the Gloucestershire sunset in 2022 when she guided A Plus Tard to an emphatic victory in National Hunt racing’s crown jewel. Twelve months earlier, the duo had finished as runner-up, and that near miss only added fuel to their ambitions.
The 2022 renewal was a masterclass in jockeyship. Blackmore timed her ride to perfection, surging ahead in the final stages and storming up the Cheltenham hill to finish 15 lengths clear of her rivals. The ecstatic crowd erupted as the Irish icon soaked in the applause, finally able to celebrate this career-defining moment with the fans in attendance. “This is the pin-up race of our sport, and I’m pinching myself to think that I’ve won it,” she said afterward.
2025 Stayers’ Hurdle Victory on Bob Olinger
Blackmore added one final chapter to her legendary career at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival with a stunning victory in the Stayers’ Hurdle aboard Bob Olinger. In the build-up to the four-day extravaganza, much of the hype was surrounding the odds-on favourite Teahupoo, who was widely tipped to defend his crown. However, in a shocking twist, it was Blackmore and 8/1 shot Bob Olinger who dominated.
The race itself was an absolute thriller. The favorite looked poised to defend his title as the field thundered up the famous hill, but Blackmore’s tactical brilliance and Bob Olinger’s formidable acceleration turned the tide. Surging forward in the final strides, the duo edged out Teahupoo by a length and three-quarters, with The Wallpark trailing in third.
This victory marked Bob Olinger’s third triumph at the Festival, after previously scoring wins in the novice hurdle and novice chase in 2021 and 2022. But this win was certainly the pick of the bunch, and for his loyal jockey, it brought the curtain down on a stellar career with her 18th and final triumph at Cheltenham.