Retired jockey Rachael Blackmore received two races at Cheltenham Pageant 2025 however obtained a six-day suspension.
Rachael Blackmore retired final 12 months (Picture: PA)
Legendary jockey Rachael Blackmore was banned for breaching whip laws on the 2025 Cheltenham Pageant. Blackmore, 36, additional enhanced her excellent file at Cheltenham by claiming victory in two races throughout the four-day assembly final March. Blackmore accomplished the total set of open championship races at Cheltenham when she steered Bob Olinger to victory within the Stayers’ Hurdle.
But two days prior, Blackmore was referred to the BHA’s Whip Referral Committee after exceeding the permitted whip strike restrict throughout the Ultima Handicap Chase. Blackmore was aboard The Brief Go, which finally completed fifth amongst 24 runners, when she was discovered to have struck the horse as soon as past the allowed seven instances.
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The panel thought-about that Blackmore had not dedicated a whip breach in 75 races throughout Nice Britain, leading to a decreased and fewer extreme penalty. Finally, the panel handed Blackmore a six-day suspension from Friday, March 28, to Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Blackmore made historical past as the primary feminine jockey to triumph within the Grand Nationwide. She additionally boasts a unprecedented file at Cheltenham, having claimed the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Queen Mom Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle twice and Ryanair Chase twice.
The celebrity rider captivated followers for almost a decade and confirmed her retirement by way of social media final Could, having secured 575 victories as an expert jockey. The Irish-born star’s Grand Nationwide triumphs earned her RTE Sports activities Particular person of the 12 months and BBC World Sport Star of the 12 months honours.
Blackmore wed her long-term associate, and fellow jockey, Brian Hayes, in a personal ceremony in January and the pair expect their first little one in Could. She just lately mentioned with the Day by day Mail the expertise of attending the Cheltenham Pageant while retired.
“A part of me is not going to benefit from the week massively,” Blackmore mentioned. “I like racing; I like driving and this week in March has been such a spike, the head for the previous few years. That is not going to be there this week and I am unsure how that makes me really feel. It is totally different territory, that is for certain.
“I have been stored very busy, which has been nice. I am concerned in loads of issues with racecourses and I will be selling Women Day on Wednesday. It is good for me to have a purpose to return (to Cheltenham). I have not gone racing an excessive amount of as I feel I am nonetheless adjusting to not being a jockey.”
Blackmore was amongst three jockeys sanctioned for breaching whip laws on the opening day of the Cheltenham Pageant in 2024. Sean Flanagan, who completed second on William Munny within the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, was discovered to have misused his whip and obtained a four-day ban.
In the meantime, Tom Harney obtained a 12-day ban after exceeding the whip restrict by one stroke on fifth-placed Slurricane within the Fred Winter Hurdle. He was additionally deemed to have used his whip with out permitting his horse ample time to reply following the ultimate flight.
The Cheltenham Pageant begins Tuesday, March 10, and spans 4 thrilling days. The celebrated assembly showcases 28 world-class jumps races at Prestbury Park.
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