Tipperary's Rachael Blackmore to be given special honour ahead of Grand National at Aintree
Tipperary trailblazer to receive special recognition at Aintree festival ceremony
Tipperary’s Rachael Blackmore is to be honoured at the Grand National Festival in Aintree with an induction as a Grand National Legend.
The history-making jockey became the first female winner of the race in 2021 and will be recognised at a special ceremony on today, Thursday, April 9, the opening day of the festival.
Blackmore joins a distinguished list of past inductees including Red Rum, Tiger Roll and Aldaniti, as well as leading figures such as Ginger McCain, Jenny Pitman and JP McManus.
As part of the recognition, a commemorative plaque will be unveiled alongside a newly named venue, Blackmore’s Bar. The alcohol-free space has been developed in collaboration with local schoolchildren and artists and will serve coffee, pastries and soft drinks during the festival.
Blackmore was recently seen at the Cheltenham Festival on March 10, ten months after retiring from racing in May 2025.
The 37-year-old also recently spoke about her pregnancy, saying: “The whole giving birth thing I haven't given an overly massive thought to yet, I think I should probably start doing that in a month or two.”