Rachael Blackmore announced her retirement from horse racing on Monday, bringing an end to a decorated 16-year career in the saddle.
The 35-year-old has claimed some of the sport’s biggest prizes, making history as the first female jockey to win both the Aintree Grand National in 2021 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022.
The Irish jockey bowed out on a high, winning the two-mile Champion Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival aboard Captain Guinness, ticking off the final championship race at the Festival from her honours list.
Blackmore spoke about her long career and how she felt like it was the right time to end her career.
“My days of being a jockey have come to an end,” she said on her X (formerly Twitter) page last night.
“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.
“I just feel so lucky to have been legged up on the horses I have, and to have experienced success I never even dreamt could be possible.”
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