HISTORY MAKER
Irish jockey Rachael is first woman to win the Grand National
IRELAND’S Rachael Blackmore romped into the history books yesterday as the first woman winner of the Grand National.
The 31-year-old queen of the Cheltenham Festival won the £750,000 Aintree showpiece on Henry de Bromhead mount Minella Times.
Rachael, from Co Tipperary, said afterwards: “I don’t feel male or female right now. I don’t even feel human.”
RACHAEL Blackmore crossed the line to become the first female jockey to win the Grand National in its 182-year history yesterday.
The Tipperary native won on board 11/1 shot Minella Times at Aintree for Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead and owner JP Mcmanus.
The 31-year-old breakout star steered the eight-year-old into the lead before the final fence.
Her mount held off the challenge from stablemate Balko Des Flos to finish with six and a half lengths to spare – giving de Bromhead an unprecedented one, two in the race. Speaking after the win, Rachael said: “I just cannot believe it... I am so lucky to be riding him and I just can’t believe we have won the Grand National.
“I don’t feel male or female right now – I don’t even feel human. It’s just unbelievable.”
She was dubbed the queen of Cheltenham in her home town of Killenaule after she became the first woman to finish as leading jockey there three weeks ago. Rachael also became the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle on De Bromhead’s Honeysuckle. Yesterday’s triumph was described by pundits as “one of the greatest moments in the sport”. Rachael said: “I’m completely blown away. “I got a fantastic passage the whole way. Minella Times was unbelievable, he jumped fantastic, I don’t think he missed a beat EMOTIONAL DAY Rachael after win anywhere. He was able to travel into a gap, I seemed to have loads of space everywhere and you couldn’t have wished for a better passage.
“He was just unbelievable, he really was, his jumping was second to none.
“This is a massive deal for me personally, not the fact I’m a female.
“The thing that hit me when I crossed the line was that I’d won the National, not that I’m the first female to win the National. I’m just delighted.”
It was an emotional win for Minella Times’ owner Mcmanus who lost his daughter-in-law Emma in December.
The 40-year-old died suddenly after falling ill on a family holiday in Barbados.
Rachael said: “It’s always a privilege to ride for JP Mcmanus and to win it for him is unbelievable. They’ve
I don’t feel male or female... I don’t even feel human RACHAEL BLACKMORE AFTER WIN YESTERDAY
had a tough year so hopefully this can make things a little easier.”
The Tipp rider was full of praise for Waterford trainer De Bromhead who saddled a one two in the race, with outsider Balko Des Flos (100/1) in runner-up spot.
She added: “I’m so lucky to be riding these horses for Henry de Bromhead.
“He trained a one-two there which is incredible.
“That can’t be forgotten in the whole scheme of things.”
De Bromhead, who also trained the first two home in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, made clear his admiration for Rachael. He said: “It’s fantastic. She is breaking all records. We’re just delighted.
“Balko Des Flos ran a cracker and Chris’s Dream was going very well, but unfortunately he unshipped Darragh O’keeffe four out. They all ran really well.
“It looked like Rachael had the race won at the last, but we all know how that can change.
“She knows the horse very well. I thought I was dreaming after Cheltenham so this is amazing, it’s incredible and Rachael was unbelievable. It’s incredible to do it for the Mcmanus family and we got a clear run the whole way.
“Of course you dream of winning this, but it was a distant dream.
“Anyone in the jumping game wants to win it, so I’m just so fortunate.
“Rachael is brilliant and we’re so lucky to have her, I think they broke the mould with her, what can you say?
“It’s a good partnership, you can see from when she joined us how we’ve gone from strength to strength.
“She’s just a fantastic rider and a lovely person to work with.”
Rachael does not come from a traditional racing background and planned to become a vet. She gained a degree in equine science, combining her studies with riding out and competing as an amateur.
She is the second woman to hold a professional licence in Irish National Hunt racing and made the switch from the amateur ranks in March 2015.
She was well backed by Irish punters and bookies Paddy
Power said her win cost them €15million in pay-outs. Meanwhile, there was a sad postscript to the race, with news that Mcmanus-owned The Long Mile, who was pulled up, had suffered a fatal injury.
Bryony Frost, who was unseated from Yala Enki, was taken to hospital for assessment.
Rachael is breaking all records. We’re just delighted HENRY DE BROMHEAD ON RACHAEL’S TALENT
RACHAEL Blackmore romped into the history books yesterday as the first female jockey to win the Grand National.
Irish eyes were smiling and Irish voices were hoarse from cheering her on as she crossed the finish line on Minella Times.
Her first words to media were that she didn’t “feel male or female right now” – more like superhuman we’d say.