The Grand National has tested the world’s best jockeys since 1839. The competition’s history is filled with unforgettable moments, and one of those includes Rachael Blackmore’s 2021 Grand National performance.
Female jockeys have actively participated in the Grand National since 1977, with Charlotte Brew lighting the torch.
However, they couldn’t quite break into the podium until one historic afternoon changed everything.
When Was Rachael Blackmore’s Grand National Win?
Rachael Blackmore won the Grand National on April 10, 2021, and became the first female jockey to win the race.
Blackmore rode Minella Times during her 2021 Grand National win, which Henry de Bromhead trained.
Coming into the Grand National, Rachael Blackmore was on a streak as she won six races at the Cheltenham Festival three weeks before the event.
She rode with Minella Times multiple times before with consistent success, so Blackmore started the event with relatively decent odds on Grand National betting apps.
Family Connections Between Rachael Blackmore and Minella
Minella Times, the horse Rachael Blackmore rode to victory, has strong ties to Irish racing and hospitality.
The horse was bred by John Nallen, owner of the Minella Hotel in Clonmel, County Tipperary.
Nallen’s horses, like Minella Times, Minella Indo, Minella Melody, and Minella Trump, participated in various competitions over the years and made their mark on major races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Nallen’s naming scheme for his horses is rather entertaining too, as Minella Indo and Minella Times were named after Irish newspapers, the Irish Independent and Irish Times.
There’s also a personal link between Blackmore and Minella. Blackmore’s parents were married at the Minella Hotel decades before her Grand National win, which gives an additional layer of meaning to her 2021 victory.
Having some family history tied to one of the greatest career moments can make a victory taste even sweeter, and it definitely takes the storyline behind it all to a next level.
FAQs about Rachael Blackmore
Q. What horse did Rachael Blackmore win the Grand National on?
A. Rachael Blackmore rode Minella Times to win the Grand National. Henry de Bromhead was the trainer of the horse, which was owned by JP McManus.
Q. Was Rachael Blackmore the first woman to ride in the Grand National?
A. No, Rachael Blackmore wasn’t the first woman to ride in the Grand National. Charlotte Brew was the first woman to ever ride in the Grand National.
Q. What was Rachael Blackmore’s biggest win?
A. Rachael Blackmore’s Grand National win is one of her biggest career wins. However, she also won major races, including the Champion Hurdle.
She became the first woman to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022, making Blackmore one of the most successful jockeys in Cheltenham Festival history.
The horse Blackmore rode during her Cheltenham Gold Cup run in 2022, A Plus Tard, later retired from horse racing, according to the BBC.
Q. Who was the first female jockey in the Grand National?
A. Charlotte Brew was the first female jockey in the Grand National, and several other women took their place in Grand National history after her.
Q. Has a woman won the Grand National more than once?
No, there haven’t been multiple wins by a female jockey at the Grand National.
Blackmore’s 2021 victory remains the only Grand National win by a female jockey.
Q. Is Rachael Blackmore still racing?
A. No, Rachael Blackmore retired from professional racing in May 2025.
Q. Who was the only racehorse to have won the Grand National three times?
A. Red Rum won the Grand National three times in 1973, 1974, and 1977.
Q. Is Rachael Blackmore in a relationship?
A. Yes, Rachael Blackmore has been in a relationship with Brian Hayes since 2020. Hayes is also a jockey.
