Rachael Blackmore has taken on a brand new function after retiring from horse racing in Might following a record-breaking profession.
Rachael Blackmore is again in horse racing. (Picture: Getty Photos)
Rachael Blackmore, who retired from race using final Might following a record-breaking and pioneering profession as a Nationwide Hunt jockey, has taken on a brand new function with Cheltenham Racecourse and the Jockey Membership. Blackmore’s exceptional achievements within the saddle noticed her grow to be the primary girl to trip winners of the Grand Nationwide, Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase, and he or she was additionally the main rider on the Cheltenham Competition.
The Tipperary native shocked the racing world when she introduced her retirement on Might 12 on the finish of a jumps season wherein she accomplished the complete set of the Cheltenham Competition’s championship occasions when Bob Olinger gained the Stayers’ Hurdle. Since retiring, she has been concerned in PR and charity work, however she has now accepted a brand new place with Cheltenham Racecourse and the Jockey Membership.
Cheltenham, the house of leap racing in Britain and the scene of a few of Blackmore’s biggest victories, has appointed the 36-year-old to a brand new ambassadorial function as Head of Girls Day at The Competition.
The Cheltenham Competition will reintroduce its Girls Day in March for the primary time since 2019, and Blackmore’s function is a part of an initiative to encourage extra ladies to attend races.
Blackmore will collaborate with the crew at Cheltenham to establish potential obstacles that is perhaps deterring ladies from attending races, whereas additionally aiming to draw new feminine audiences and those that haven’t attended racedays for some time.
Blackmore, who gained the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard in 2022 and the Grand Nationwide in 2021 onboard Minella Instances, mentioned: “It’ll be a really completely different expertise going racing and never heading for the weighing room, however I am wanting ahead to seeing what racedays are like from the opposite aspect of the rails and dealing with the crew at Cheltenham.
“I am fascinated by assembly racegoers to get a correct understanding of why they attend but additionally what a number of the blockers and boundaries is perhaps which can be stopping their pals and friends from coming.
Rachael Blackmore using Bob Olinger return after successful The Paddy Energy Stayers’ Hurdle throughout Day Three of the 2025 Cheltenham Competition. (Picture: Getty Photos)
“Horseracing is a tremendous sport and a day on the races gives a lot alternative for folks to socialize with pals and meet new folks.
“I am excited to get entangled and see what might be accomplished to interact extra ladies and present them what makes a day on the races such a particular and unforgettable expertise.”
Figures compiled by The Jockey Membership reveal that on common, only a quarter of attendees at Cheltenham Racecourse all through the season are ladies, while the business common for Bounce racing stands at 39 per cent in line with the Racecourse Affiliation and Nice British Racing Knowledge Perception Programme.
Extra buyer analysis carried out by The Jockey Membership in 2023 discovered that quite a few ladies really feel the game is ‘not for them’ and are often postpone by the notion that racing is geared toward males. Man Lavender, Chief Govt of Cheltenham, mentioned: “Rachael is a family title whose success and keenness for horseracing resonates not solely with racing followers and aficionados however normal sports activities followers and even wider audiences.
“We have been evaluating buyer knowledge and suggestions and what actually stood out was the chance to develop our feminine fanbase. From there we have been growing a marketing campaign geared toward encouraging extra ladies to attend racedays and Rachael is precisely the type of aspirational determine we hope will appeal to a brand new fan base to the game.
“Rachael’s groundbreaking success on the monitor, mixed along with her rising standing as a task mannequin past the game and recognition with folks of all ages, make her the best ambassador to attach the Cheltenham Competition with a brand new, female-focused viewers.
Tennis information, scores and match outcomes plus chosen provides and competitions Subscribe Invalid e mail
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you have consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may occasionally embrace adverts from us and third events based mostly on our understanding. You’ll be able to unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
“Her achievements transcended racing and resulted in headlines around the globe and awards just like the BBC World Sports activities Star on the prestigious Sports activities Persona of the Yr Awards in 2021. We’re excited to be working along with her to establish what initiatives and incentives would encourage extra ladies to come back racing and to advertise the game, Cheltenham Racecourse and The Competition particularly, as being for everybody.”
Blackmore will expertise Cheltenham for the primary time as a spectator when she joins the crew at Cheltenham for The November Assembly on Friday, November 14.
Leave a Reply