Rachael Blackmore: everything you need to know about this jockey

Rachael Blackmore BBC awards — CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Rachael Blackmore onboard Honeysuckle celebrates after victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) on Day One of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 16, 2021 in Cheltenham, England. Sporting venues around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit spectators inside venues resulting in events being held behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Find out everything you need to know about Irish jump jockey Rachael Blackmore after her incredible Champion Hurdle victory at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival with wonder mare, Honeysuckle.

1. Rachael was born on 11 July 1989 and hails from Killenaule in County Tipperary.

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Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.

Rachael Blackmore: everything you need to know about this record-breaking National Hunt jockey

2. She rode her first winner as an amateur jockey on 10 February 2011 at Thurles aboard Stowaway Pearl .

3. Rachael rode 11 point-to-point winners and seven winners as an amateur rider before turning professional in March, 2015.

4. With 32 winners, she became the first female jockey to win the Conditional Riders’ title in the 2016/2017 season.

5. Her first Cheltenham Festival winners came in 2019 when she rode A Plus Tard and Minella Indo to victory in the same week.

6. Rachael’s first Grade One success in Ireland came on the De Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final at Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019.

7. She ended the 2019/20 season with 90 winners, easily securing the runner-up spot in the Irish jockeys’ championship behind Paul Townend.

8. During the 2019/2020 season, which was cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic finished third to Paul Townend in the Irish jockeys’ championship.

9. On 16 March 2021 Rachael made history when becoming the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival aboard the Henry De Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle.

11. Rachael was second in the 2020/2021 Irish jockeys’ championship with 92 winners, just eight behind Paul Townend.

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