Rachael Blackmore, the Irish National Hunt jockey who rewrote racing history, retired in May 2025 after a career defined by barrier-breaking victories. She became the first female jockey to win the Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and the leading jockey title at the Cheltenham Festival. Beyond the track, she is also a published children’s author.
Born in County Tipperary on 11 July 1989, Blackmore grew up around horses on the family farm. She turned professional in March 2015 and by the time she hung up her saddle, she had ridden 575 winners. Her story is one of talent, resilience, and quiet determination.
Is Rachael Blackmore married?
Yes, Rachael Blackmore married fellow jockey Brian Hayes in January 2026. The couple had been long-term partners before marrying. They welcomed their first child, a son named Bowie Martin Hayes, on 3 June 2026. Blackmore’s height has not been publicly confirmed by any authoritative source.
Here is a quick overview of the key areas of her life and career.
Personal Life
Born 11 July 1989 in Ireland. Married to Brian Hayes (Jan 2026). One son, Bowie Martin Hayes. Height not publicly confirmed.
Career
First female jockey to win the Grand National (2021), first woman leading jockey at Cheltenham (2021), first female jockey to win the Gold Cup (2022). Retired May 2025 with 575 winners.
Book / Publications
Children’s book Granny National published in 2025. No autobiography has been confirmed.
Recent News
Retired from racing 12 May 2025. Married January 2026. Son born June 2026.
Key insights about Rachael Blackmore
- She made history in 2021 as the first female jockey to win the Grand National, riding Minella Times.
- In 2021 she became the first woman to be leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, with six winners including the Champion Hurdle on Honeysuckle.
- In 2022 she became the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, aboard A Plus Tard.
- She published her first children’s book, Granny National, in 2025.
- She retired from professional racing in May 2025 after riding 575 winners.
- She married jockey Brian Hayes in January 2026 and the couple have a son, Bowie Martin Hayes.
- Her height is not publicly documented in any official biography.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rachael Blackmore |
| Date of Birth | 11 July 1989 |
| Age | 36 (as of June 2026) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Former National Hunt jockey |
| Major Win | Grand National 2021 (Minella Times) |
| Other Major Wins | Champion Hurdle 2021 (Honeysuckle), Gold Cup 2022 (A Plus Tard) |
| Children’s Book | Granny National (2025) |
| Marital Status | Married to Brian Hayes (Jan 2026) |
| Children | One son, Bowie Martin Hayes (born June 2026) |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
| Retirement | 12 May 2025 |
What are Rachael Blackmore’s biggest career achievements?
Rachael Blackmore’s professional record places her among the most accomplished jockeys of her generation. She turned professional in March 2015 after cutting her teeth in point-to-point racing. Within six years she had achieved what no female jockey had done before.
Grand National win on Minella Times
In April 2021, Blackmore rode Minella Times to victory in the Grand National at Aintree. She became the first female jockey in the 182-year history of the race to win it. The achievement drew global attention and was widely celebrated as a landmark moment for the sport. The Jockey Club described it as rewriting the history books.
Rachael Blackmore is the only female jockey to have won the Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and the Champion Hurdle. No other woman in National Hunt racing has achieved that triple.
Cheltenham Festival record
The same year, Blackmore arrived at the Cheltenham Festival and rode six winners, including the Champion Hurdle on Honeysuckle. That performance earned her the leading jockey title — another first for a woman. In 2022 she won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, becoming the first female jockey to take racing’s most prestigious chase. Her Racing Post statistics show the consistency behind those headline victories.
Retirement after 575 winners
Blackmore announced her immediate retirement on 12 May 2025. She had ridden 575 winners as a professional, a total that reflects both longevity and sustained excellence. Horse Racing Ireland records confirm her career tally and her status as one of the most successful jockeys in the sport’s modern era.
Has Rachael Blackmore written a book?
Yes, Blackmore has written a children’s book titled Granny National, published in 2025. It is her first published work. No autobiography or memoir has been confirmed.
What is Granny National about?
Granny National is described as a children’s book. Blackmore announced the project on her Instagram account, writing that after three years it was finally finished. Children’s Books Ireland lists the title among its recommendations.
Only one book by Rachael Blackmore has been published: the children’s picture book Granny National. No full-length autobiography or memoir has been announced or released as of June 2026.
What is Rachael Blackmore’s injury status?
Blackmore sustained a neck injury following a fall at Downpatrick in September 2024. The injury kept her out of racing for three months. She returned to competition after that recovery period and continued racing until her retirement in May 2025. No further injuries have been reported since her return.
Because Blackmore retired in May 2025, she will not be competing at the Cheltenham Festival in 2026. Any speculation about her participation is unfounded. Her retirement was immediate and final.
What is the timeline of Rachael Blackmore’s life and career?
- 1989 — Born 11 July in Killenaule, County Tipperary, Ireland. (Wikipedia)
- 2015 — Turned professional in March. (Horse Racing Ireland)
- 2019 — First major Cheltenham success. (Horse Racing Ireland)
- 2021 — Won the Grand National on Minella Times, first female jockey to do so. (ESPN)
- 2021 — First woman leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, with six winners including the Champion Hurdle on Honeysuckle.
- 2022 — Won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, first female jockey to do so.
- 2024 — Sustained a neck injury at Downpatrick in September; returned after three months.
- 2025 — Announced immediate retirement on 12 May with 575 professional winners.
- 2025 — Published children’s book Granny National.
- 2026 — Married Brian Hayes in January.
- 2026 — Son Bowie Martin Hayes born 3 June.
What personal details about Rachael Blackmore are confirmed?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 11 July 1989 in Killenaule, County Tipperary, Ireland | Height — not listed in any authoritative biography |
| First female jockey to win the Grand National (2021) | Net worth — no verified public figure |
| First woman leading jockey at Cheltenham (2021) | Sibling details — not widely documented |
| First female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup (2022) | |
| Published Granny National in 2025 | |
| Retired 12 May 2025 with 575 winners | |
| Married Brian Hayes in January 2026 | |
| Son Bowie Martin Hayes born 3 June 2026 |
Why is Rachael Blackmore significant in horse racing?
Rachael Blackmore’s significance goes beyond her individual wins. She broke gender barriers in a sport where female jockeys had long been underrepresented at the highest level. Her Grand National victory in 2021 was watched by millions worldwide and brought discussions about gender in racing to the forefront.
Her achievements at Cheltenham are equally notable. Winning the leading jockey title requires consistency across multiple days of top-class racing. Doing so as a woman, in a sport that had never seen a female leading jockey at the festival before, marked a genuine shift. The release of a children’s book in 2025 also showed a move beyond racing into new creative work.
The search interest in her personal life — husband, son, height, age — reflects the public’s desire to know the person behind the headlines. Much of that information is now a matter of public record, though some details remain private.
Where can you find reliable information about Rachael Blackmore?
“Rachael Blackmore (born 11 July 1989) is an Irish former National Hunt jockey. In 2021, she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National.”
— Wikipedia
“Rachael Blackmore rewrote the history books yet again to become the first female jockey to win the Randox Grand National.”
— The Jockey Club
“After 3 years it’s finally finished……GRANNY NATIONAL! My first children’s book.”
— Instagram (@blackmorerachael)
What is the full picture of Rachael Blackmore’s story?
Rachael Blackmore is an Irish former National Hunt jockey who broke some of racing’s biggest barriers, retired at the top of her sport, married fellow jockey Brian Hayes, welcomed a son, and published a children’s book. Her career combined historic firsts with sustained excellence. Her personal life, once the subject of speculation, is now largely a matter of public record. For more on the race that made her a household name, read our Grand National History and Winners page. For context on the festival where she dominated, see the Cheltenham Festival Guide.
Frequently asked questions about Rachael Blackmore
What horses has Rachael Blackmore ridden?
She is best known for riding Minella Times (Grand National 2021), Honeysuckle (Champion Hurdle 2021), and A Plus Tard (Gold Cup 2022). She rode many other winners across Ireland and the UK.
How did Rachael Blackmore get into horse racing?
She grew up on a farm in County Tipperary with horses central to her childhood. She began with pony riding and point-to-point racing before turning professional in March 2015.
What is Rachael Blackmore’s net worth?
No verified public figure exists. Net worth estimates vary widely and should be treated as speculative.
Where is Rachael Blackmore from?
She is from Killenaule, County Tipperary, Ireland. She was born there on 11 July 1989.
Does Rachael Blackmore have siblings?
Details about siblings are not widely documented in publicly available sources. No confirmed information is available.
How old is Rachael Blackmore?
She was born on 11 July 1989, making her 36 years old as of June 2026.
Did Rachael Blackmore win the Grand National?
Yes. She won the 2021 Grand National on Minella Times, becoming the first female jockey to do so.
Is Rachael Blackmore still racing?
No. She announced her immediate retirement on 12 May 2025 and has not raced since.
What is Rachael Blackmore’s book called?
Her children’s book is titled Granny National, published in 2025.
Who is Rachael Blackmore married to?
She married jockey Brian Hayes in January 2026. They have one son, Bowie Martin Hayes, born June 2026.
James Morgan is Senior Reporter at readingwire.co.uk, covering breaking UK and world news, politics and current affairs.