Rachael Blackmore announces retirement
Following the news of Rachael Blackmore’s retirement, we would like to congratulate her on an incredible career, where she made history being the first female jockey to win the Aintree Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Over the years, we have had the pleasure of presenting Rachael with the winner’s trophy on five occasions following her successes in our sponsored races at Cheltenham Festival and Grand National Festival. Rachael’s wins include the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase on A Plus Tard in 2019, and two wins in the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase in 2019 with Moon Over Germany and in 2023 with Dancing on my Own.
Two of Rachael’s most notable wins in our sponsored races come from her time with Honeysuckle. We will never forget the fairytale ending at Cheltenham Festival 2023 where Honeysuckle signed off her career with a fourth Festival victory in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, a race the duo previously won back in 2020.
We wish Rachael the best of luck for the future.
Date: May 2025
