The Tipperary woman, who retired in May after a record-breaking career, has been dating fellow rider Brian Hayes for many years
Brian Hayes and Rachael Blackmore are getting married(Image: Instagram/ Rachael Blackmore)
Rachael Blackmore is getting married to her long-term partner and fellow jockey Brian Hayes next month.
The Tipperary woman, who retired in May after a record-breaking career, has been dating fellow rider Brian Hayes for many years.
And her former boss, trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon, revealed that the pair are set to tie the knot in the new year.
Hanlon shared the news while praising the jockey, who received the prestigious Contribution to the Industry Award at the Horse Racing Ireland Awards on Monday.
Blackmore rode her first winner as an amateur jockey for Hanlon in 2011 and met her now-fiancé Hayes at the Carlow yard.
Rachael Blackmore and Brian Hayes(Image: Instagram/ Rachael Blackmore)
Hanlon said: “We had a lot of good times, a lot of good times. I remember when she started, Brian Hayes was there, who is her partner now, getting married in January.
“She was creeping into Brian’s rides, and they weren’t very happy about it. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall to see what was said when she’d taken a ride off Brian, but she didn’t mind.”
For many years, Blackmore lived in Carlow with Hayes and Patrick Mullins, the son of legendary trainer Willie Mullins, whose stable is also in the county.
Corkman Hayes regularly rides horses for Mullins and ended up in many close battles with Blackmore on the racetrack. Paying tribute to him after her retirement, she said: “Brian Hayes won’t enjoy getting a mention, but he was more important to my career than I’ll ever be able to thank him for.”
Rachael Blackmore and Brian Hayes(Image: Instagram/ Rachael Blackmore )
Blackmore, 36, was a trailblazer for female jockeys during her career, becoming the first woman to win the Aintree Grand National when steering Minella Times to glory in 2021.
She will also be forever associated with the great racing mare, Honeysuckle, with whom she won four races at the Cheltenham Festival.
And among those to pay tribute to her on the night after receiving the Contribution to the Industry Award was fellow Tipperary woman Sharlene Mawdsley.
Olympic athlete Mawdsley said: Hi, Rachel. I just want to say a massive congratulations on everything you’ve achieved throughout your career.
“I’m very sad that I didn’t get to be there today, but I just want to wish you a massive congratulations on the award you’re being presented with. It’s nothing but deserved.
“You have created an absolutely amazing pathway for women in sport over the past number of years. So, I just wanted to say thank you for that.
“I met your parents at an award ceremony last year, and they are so, so proud of you. I hope you’re as proud of yourself, because everyone in Tipperary is.”
Michael Stich, Stan Smith, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Chris Evert, Brian Hayes, Rachel Blackmore, Stefan Edberg and Prince George of Wales at Wimbledon (Image: Getty Images)
Horse Racing Ireland CEO Suzanne Eade said of Blackmore: “It is hard to think of someone who made such a profound impact on the sport so quickly.
“A total of 33 Grade 1s throughout her stellar career and 18 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including the pinnacle, the Gold Cup, along with Champion Hurdles and a Champion Chase.
“Most famous of them all, the Grand National at Aintree. Many of those moments arrived during Covid and helped brighten the mood of the nation. They also caught the imagination as Rachael remains a role model, a true trailblazer.”
Speaking after her retirement, Blackmore admitted: “I’ll never be able to find something that’s going to replace the joy that riding winners gave me.
“But if I can find something that gives me half as much pleasure, that will do.”
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