- Rachael Blackmore has dedicated her first Cheltenham victory to late cousin
- The Irish jockey was forced to miss funeral during Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle win
Rachael Blackmore dedicated her first Cheltenham Festival win in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle to her cousin after she was forced to miss his funeral on Thursday.
The Irish jockey guided her horse Air Of Entitlement to victory on the first race of day three despite being a 16/1 outsider.
Unexpectedly, Air Of Entitlement beat Sixandahalf by a small margin in stunning fashion as the horses crossed the line.
Featuring for trainer Henry de Bromhead on Thursday, Blackmore achieved her first win of this year and the 17th during her illustrious career at Cheltenham.
However, her win has been marked by an emotional speech following the victorious race, as she dedicated the win to her late cousin.
‘I want to dedicate this to my cousin Robert Blackmore, my cousin, who passed away at the weekend. His funeral is today. I want to dedicate this to him,’ said Blackmore.
Rachael Blackmore dedicated her first 2025 Cheltenham Festival victory to her late cousin
The Irish jockey was forced to win her cousin’s funeral during her Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle win
Blackmore’s victory comes after she struggled to achieve the first spot following a neck injury suffered in September
Pleased on her win, she added: ‘We [the de Bromhead team] have had a quieter [first] two days. Walking home on Tuesday, I feel I’ve be spoilt the last couple of years getting to go home with a winner on the Tuesday.
‘Henry just does such an incredible job with them when he brings them over here for Cheltenham, they all run above themselves and I’m very lucky to be on some of their backs.
Previously, Blackmore’s achievements were awarded with an honorary MBE, and she was also crowned the BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year.
It came after she made history by becoming the first female jockey to clinch the Grand National win on Minella Times in 2021.
‘It’s an incredible feeling,’ she added. ‘I read an interview recently with JP McManus when he said some people are born luckier than others and I definitely feel like I was born luckier for going round here anyway.
‘I’ve been so lucky with the horses I’ve got to ride and this mare is another one. Henry brings his horses over here in such incredible form and she was just phenomenal there.
‘She travelled through the race and jumped well and got her head in front at the right time.’
Last September, Blackmore suffered a serious neck injury, which kept her out of competition until late December, and she has struggled for wins since then.