Rachael Blackmore First Woman To Win The Grand National

Rachael Blackmore Becomes The First Woman To Win The Grand National

Horse-racing history was made today at Aintree in Liverpool, when Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National, as she rode 11-1 shot, Minella Times to victory, never looking threatened for the whole race really, but then surging ahead after the 30th and final fence, to win by six and a half lengths.

It was a special day for trainer Henry de Bromhead as well, who had his two horses finish first and second, his 100-1 shot, Balko Des Flos, ridden by Aidan Coleman, the runner-up, with the favourite, Cloth Cap, ridden by Tom Scudamore, pulling up at the third last fence.

Rachael came into this race off the back of another historic win, as she became the Irish jockey became the first woman to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, on Honeysuckle, in March, again one of De Bromhead’s horses, but this victory at Aintree tops that.

The Ted Walsh trained, Any Second Now came in third, with Burrows Saint, trained by Willie Mullins, finishing fourth, to complete a clean sweep for Irish horses.

Speaking after the race, Rachael Blackmore said, “I cannot believe it, he was a sensational spin. I’m so lucky to be riding. It is unbelievable. He was just incredible and jumped beautifully. I tried to wait as long as I could. When I jumped the last and asked him for a bit, he was there. I don’t feel male or female right now, I don’t even feel human. This is just unbelievable”.

The County Waterford based trainer, Henry de Bromhead, was full of praise for his star jockey, “She’s brilliant, isn’t she? Aren’t we so lucky to have her? They broke the mould after her – she’s brilliant”, adding, “It’s just brilliant. It’s down to Rachael, obviously”, as reported by dailymail.co.uk.