BREAKING Grand National history-maker Rachael Blackmore makes shock retirement announcement

Legendary jockey Rachael Blackmore has shocked the racing world today (May 12) by announcing her retirement at the age of 35.

She said in a statement on social media: “My days of being a jockey have come to an end. 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.”

“The people to thank are endless, it’s not possible to mention everyone, as I don’t want this to be another book, but I’m going to get a few names in here anyway and to everyone else, you know who you are, as they say,” Blackmore continued.

“Firstly, my parents who provided me with the best childhood, and a pony I couldn’t hold! This set the seed for a life of racing. Aidan Kennedy gave me my first ride in a point to point.

“I spent time riding out for Arthur Moore and Pat Doyle which I loved. Sam Curling and Liam Lennon were also big supporters, as was Denise O’Shea, John Nicholson, Ellmarie Holden, Harry Smyth and Gigginstown House Stud.

“I rode my first winner for Shark Hanlon, who then helped me become champion conditional. I will be forever grateful to Shark for getting behind me, supporting me and believing in me when it would have been just as easy to look elsewhere. He was the catalyst for what was to come.

“A conversation between [Gigginstown House Stud’s] Eddie O’Leary and Henry de Bromhead in a taxi on the way to Aintree took my career to a whole new level. Eddie got me in the door at Knockeen, and what came next was unimaginable: Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard, Minella Indo, Captain Guinness, Bob Olinger, Minella Times, among many others… all with one thing in common – Henry de Bromhead. He’s a phenomenal trainer who brought out the best in me. Without Henry, my story is very different.”

At the beginning of the jumps season, Rachel did not participate in racing for three months due to a neck injury. Previously, she become the only female jockey to win any of Cheltenham’s traditional triple crown of championship races riding Honeysuckle to the first of their two successive Champion Hurdles in 2021.

In 2021, she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National in the 182-year history of the race.

Devastated fans took to her comment section to express their shock and well wishes for the jockey. One X user wrote: “Those Cheltenham memories will live on for EVER Rachael. My personal fav was Honeysuckles last Cheltenham Festival win. A very happy retirement, congratulations on a sensational career.”

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Another added: “Not many can say they’ve won the Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National but you can boast all of that and more!”

A third noted: “Champion Hurdle, champion chase, stayers hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National… Literally Completed Horse Racing… Some career.”

“Rachael, you are and will remain our national treasure… incredibly lucky to have worked with you throughout these seasons at Willie’s again, thank you for everything,” penned a fourth.