Rachael Blackmore retires aged 35 as legendary jockey issues emotional statement

Rachael Blackmore has announced her retirement with a heartfelt statement on social media. The jockey has enjoyed a sensational 16-year career, winning numerous top races - including 18 at the - and writing her name into the history books when becoming the first female jockey to win the in its 182-year history.

With remarkable successes with Minella Times, Honeysuckle and A Plus Tard, the 35-year-old bows out as an incredibly influential figure in the world of National Hunt racing after inspiring a new generation of young girls take an interest in the sport by paving the way with her impact.

Blackmore took to X to announce her retirement decision, thanking several owners - notably John 'Shark' Hanlon and Henry de Bromhead - for helping her achieve such incredible levels of success. She wrote: "My days of being a jockey have come to an end. I feel the time is right. I'm sad but I'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.

"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.

"A conversation between Eddie O'Leary and Henry de Bromhead in a taxi on the way to Aintree took my career to a whole new level. Eddie got me in the door at Knockeen, and what came next was unimaginable: Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard, Minella Indo, Captain Guinness, Bob Olinger, Minella Times, among many others... all with one thing in common - Henry de Bromhead. He's a phenomenal trainer, who brought out the best in me. Without Henry, my story is very different."

Blackmore went on to thank her sponsors, her personal team and all of the other racing trainers and owners who have offered her opportunities in years gone by. She concluded by saying: "It is daunting, not being able to say that I am a jockey anymore... who even am I now! But I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the career I've had.

"To have been in the right place at the right time with the right people, and to have gotten on the right horses - because it doesn't matter how good you are without them. They have given me the best days of my life and to them I am most grateful."

Her final victory came over the weekend when cruising clear in the 14.15 race at Cork aboard Ma Belle Etoile at odds of 4/1.