Rachael Blackmore retires from racing: 'My days of being a jockey have come to an end'

12 May 2025, 15:50 | Updated: 12 May 2025, 19:24

Rachael Blackmore has announced that she is retiring from racing, stating on social media that her "days of being a jockey have come to an end".

The trailblazing jockey, who has 18 Cheltenham Festival winners and a Grand National crown to her name, has decided to bring the curtain down on a stellar career - with her final ride a winner aboard Ma Belle Etoile at Cork on Saturday.

In a statement released 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."

She added: "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.

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