Gold Cup-winning jockey Rachael Blackmore has returned to the Cheltenham Festival but in a different capacity after she announced her pregnancy in February and married a fellow jockey following her retirement last year
Rachael Blackmore has returned to the Cheltenham Festival this week. However, the iconic jockey is now observing the action from the stands, following her retirement last year.
The 36-year-old made history as the first woman to clinch the Grand National in 2021 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022. Blackmore racked up a total of 18 Cheltenham victories before calling time on her career.
Her maiden win as a professional came aboard Most Honourable at Clonmel in September 2015 and she became the first female to secure the conditional riders’ championship in Ireland in 2017. Blackmore won the Champion Hurdle twice on the exceptional mare Honeysuckle as well as the 2024 Champion Chase on Captain Guinness.
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Now, the Daily Star Sport delves into the celebrated racer’s lesser-known life and accomplishments off the track, by exploring her marriage, recent pregnancy announcement and decision to retire.
Pregnancy announcement
Blackmore surprised fans in February by revealing she is expecting her first child. However, it wasn’t your standard pregnancy announcement, as fans deduced it for themselves after she posted a picture on social media with a box containing a pram in the boot of her Volvo XC60. She simply captioned the post: “Boot contents looking a little bit different now.”
Blackmore unveiled her baby bump at Cheltenham earlier this week, having been seen donning a cosy brown jumper, a blue trench coat and black shades. Discussing the significant year ahead, Blackmore confessed that riding at Cheltenham was far more nerve-wracking than the prospect of motherhood.
She said: “I would definitely say riding [was more difficult]. The whole giving birth thing I haven’t given an overly massive thought to yet, I think I should probably start doing that in a month or two!”.
Married to fellow jockey
Word of her impending arrival came shortly after her wedding to long-term partner Brian Hayes in January of this year. Hayes is also a jockey, meaning their relationship has occasionally had to take a backseat once the racing begins.
Hayes, who originates from County Cork, made his breakthrough with his maiden festival triumph in 2023 when guiding Impervious to success in the Mares’ Chase. Blackmore previously disclosed that the pair “don’t talk about racing half as much as people think” during their time away from the racecourses.
Hayes is recognised for securing numerous rides with Emmet Mullins over the years. He now frequently partners with horses trained by reigning Irish and British champion handler Willie Mullins.
Speaking days after securing a winner in January, Hayes said about his wedding: “I got married ten days ago I suppose. Myself and Rachel got married so off the market.
“It was a lovely day. We got married on the Friday down at home in Rosscarbery, in my home place. We went up to Cavan then on the Monday and had a big party with all our friends and family. It was nice… it was nice just to get married finally.”
Retirement
Blackmore quietly revealed the end of her legendary racing career 10 months ago. The record-breaking jockey chose to retire after a final outing aboard Ma Belle Etoile at Cork, where she claimed victory.
In a statement posted on social media, she said: “My days of being a jockey have come to an end. I feel the time is right. I’m sad but l’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.”
She added: “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.
“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.”