Blackmore blazes a trail

Rachael Blackmore, star of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival and first female winner of the Grand National, is inspiring a new generation of jump jockeys

1989: Born in Killenaule, Co. Tipperary, grows up on dairy farm. After dreams of training as vet, gains degree in equine science while riding as amateur
  
2011: Rides first winner, at Thurles 

2015: Becomes first professional female jump jockey since 1980s
 
2017: First woman to win Irish Conditional Jockeys Championship

2018: Rides Alpha Des Obeaux at first Grand National, but falls at The Chair

2019: First Cheltenham Festival winner, riding A Plus Tard in Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase


90 Winners in 2019-20 National Hunt season

Mar 2021: Wins Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, on Honeysuckle. Runner-up in Gold Cup

06 Cheltenham 2021 winners – finishes as leading jockey

Apr 2021: First female jockey to win Grand National – world’s most famous steeplechase – riding Minella Times


Picture: Getty Images 
Sources: BBC, wire agencies
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