Rachael Blackmore – the first woman to win the Grand National – announces her retirement at 35 in emotional statement

Rachael Blackmore, the most successful female Jumpjockey in history whose exploits inspired a generation, has announced her retirement.

The 35-year-old, who became the first woman to win the Randox Grand When in April 2021 in April 2021 she collaborated on Minella Times to be successful at Aintree, posted on social media on Monday afternoon to confirm that her career is over.

Blackmore was a pioneer who kept pushing the borders and she is one of a select number that the ‘Grand Slam’ has done in Cheltenham – the Gold Cup, the Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Stayers Hurdle.

She had associations with horses that became public favorites, such as Honeysuckle, the mare with whom she enjoyed four consecutive victories at the festival from 2020 to 2023. In total, Blackmore drove 18 winners in Cheltenham, where she was a leading driver in 2021.

But it was Aintree that day, at a time when the running was free because of the impact of COVID-19That saw her transcending the sport, her success on 11/1 shot Minella Times for trainer Henry de Bromhead and owner JP McManus who leaves her to say for memorable: “I don’t feel masculine or feminine … I don’t even feel human.”

The most recent national hunting season was broken by a serious neck injury that she sustained last September, which led to her three months on the sidelines, but she returned to Christmas And the highlight of the campaign came when she rode a 152/1 Double on Cheltenham, led by one of her favorite horses, Bob Olinger, in the Stayers Hurdle.

Rachael Blackmore celebrates its historic 2021 Grand National Triumph on board Minella Times

The 35-year-old, who drove 18 winners on Cheltenham, has decided to call time on her career

Blackmore, one of a select number that the ‘Grand Slam’ has done in Cheltenham, lifts the Gold Cup

In a statement she said: ‘My days of jockey have ended. I feel that time is correct. I am sad, but I am also incredibly grateful for what my life has been in the last 16 years. I just feel so happy that I have used the horses that I have and to have experienced success that I had never even dreamed of it could be possible.

“The people to thank are endless. It is not possible to mention everyone! First, my parents, who gave me the best youth and a pony that I could not hold … I drove my first winner for Shark Hanlon, who then helped me to become conditional.

‘A conversation between Eddie O’Leary and Henry de Bromhead brought my career to a whole new level. Henry has been a phenomenal trainer who got the best out of me. Without Henry my story is very different. ‘

She continued: ‘It is discouraging and cannot say that I am more jockey. Who am I even now?! But I feel so incredibly lucky that I have had the career I have had. So many people have given me the best days of my life and I am very grateful for them. ‘

The first winner of Blackmore was in Thurles on Stowaway Pearl in February 2011. The last of nearly 600 victories came to Cork two days ago, in front of the Bromhead on mare named Ma Belle Etoile.