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Making History: Rachael Blackmore.
Rachael Blackmore was recently in the headlines around the world, making history as the first female jockey to win the Grand National in April 2021 at Aintree (UK). The Grand National win however was simply one of many amazing feats the Irish jockey achieved during the 2020/21 National Hunt season. At the Cheltenham Festival (UK) in March, Blackmore became the first woman to be crowned leading jockey at the meeting, winning six times including the G1 Champion Hurdle (3200m) on superstar mare Honeysuckle. It was a remarkable achievement for a number of reasons – including the first time a female jockey had finished in the first three placings in either a Champion Hurdle or a Gold Cup and only one other rider (Ruby Walsh) had achieved more wins (7) during the four-day Festival.
This weekend, Rachael Blackmore will have her first ride in France on the well-fancied Ajas in the G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m). We caught up with her ahead of Sunday's big event…
It's been an amazing year for you with multiple wins at the Cheltenham Festival and a Grand National success. What was your favourite moment?
I've had such an incredible year and I have been very lucky to have ridden some very talented horses. Cheltenham was obviously a massive week for me, especially winning on Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle. The standout moment though would have to be Minella Times in the Grand National. It's such a unique and special race - with 40 horses and 30 jumps there's always a lot of anticipation in the build-up.
You finished second in the Irish Jockeys' Championship behind Paul Townend in 2020/21. Is winning the championship your next big goal or do you have other aims in mind?
I've never been one to set myself any major goals. I find things can change very quickly in racing, so I like to take things day by day, week by week. Winning a jockeys' championship is something everyone in the weigh-room aspires to do but it's not something you can really worry about until later on in the season.
You spent some time riding out for Guillaume Macaire. What was the experience like?
I rode out for Guillaume Macaire about 10 years ago now. I went there for a few weeks on two occasions during the summer and I absolutely loved it. As a young twenty-year-old aspiring to be a jockey, I was schooling horses everyday which was invaluable experience to get.
Auteuil is a unique racetrack with some challenging jumps, including the famous Rail Ditch fence. How do you prepare for a new track?
I will walk the track on Sunday morning and will speak to jockeys that have previous experience riding in the race. It will be my first time in Auteuil so I'm very much looking forward to seeing the place, I've heard great things.
How did the collaboration with David Cottin come about?
David got in contact with me after Cheltenham and things were finalised then a few weeks after that. It's a privilege to be asked to ride in the race, made even better by getting to ride a horse like Ajas. I am very excited about the opportunity and really looking forward to it.
Do you have any other rides for the Auteuil meeting?
I don't have any other rides over there, but Ajas will do!