'I'm doing all those things you have to say no to as a jockey' - trailblazing jockey Rachael Blackmore opens up on retirement

Rachael Blackmore revealed she is enjoying retirement and being away from the relentless grind of race-riding after opening up on her decision to bring her trailblazing career to an end.

Blackmore, who won on her final ride at Cork in May, went down in history as the first woman to win the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup, as well as the first female rider to be leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, where she won all four championship races.

Blackmore has kept herself busy since retiring, enjoying the tennis at Wimbledon and securing much-coveted tickets to see Oasis on their reunion tour, while she is also set to take part in the 14th annual Hurling for Cancer Research next month .

Speaking to ITV Racing, Blackmore said: "Retirement's going well. I'm enjoying it so far and I'm doing a lot of things I probably haven't been able to do for the last few years. This week is definitely very different as I'm not heading to Ballybrit [Galway].

"The Oasis tickets have been purchased and I'm seeing them next month. I'm doing all those things you have to say no to as a jockey, like all those invites to friends' barbecues and other things. There's pluses to retirement too."

Blackmore also reflected on her historic victories, including on Minella Times in the 2021 Grand National and her association with the brilliant dual Champion Hurdle heroine Honeysuckle.

Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore after the 2021 Champion Hurdle Credit: Edward Whitaker

"It's incredible to look now at everything and really take it all in," she said. "There's so many moments that were such joy and elation. Having my first winner on A Plus Tard at Cheltenham was just phenomenal. Henry [De Bromhead] put lots of faith in me and it was a good job I delivered because he was a Gold Cup winner in waiting.

"Honeysuckle's last win [in the Mares' Hurdle] was sensational. It was something I'll never, ever forget. It was phenomenal. The moment of crossing the line in the Grand National I felt I could burst with joy too. There were so many moments and I was so lucky."

Blackmore has yet to decide what career to pursue next. She said: "It was a difficult decision, but I wanted it to be a hard decision. I thought after Cork that if my aim wasn't to get back to Cheltenham, then maybe it was time to stop.

"When I was riding I never wanted to spend any time thinking about what I wanted to do when I finished. I'll do that over the summer and figure it out."

Read these next:

'There was a big bang when one of the engines failed' - emergency plane landing gives five jockeys big scare

Aidan O'Brien ponders 'so many options' for brilliant filly Whirl after she makes light of treacherous conditions in Nassau Stakes

Galway Hurdle drama as placings are reversed with Ndaawi awarded the race and Helvic Dream demoted to second

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.

Click here to read article