Rachael Blackmore's heroes: the five horses who helped etch her name into greatness

Minella Times

When it finally happened, Rachael Blackmore made one wonder what all the fuss was about. The quiet-spoken girl from Tipperary shattered the sport's glass ceiling in her trademark low-key way as if the Grand National was just another race.

It was not that she was oblivious to the importance of her achievement, or to the folklore of an event that resonates more widely than any race in the world. Her post-race reaction was one of wonderment.

But for the nine minutes and 15 seconds it took to jump 30 fences over four miles, two furlongs, and 74 yards, Blackmore made it look straightforward on the JP McManus-owned Minella Times.

Rachael Blackmore and Minella Times after their Grand National triumph in 2021Credit: Edward Whitaker

Five from home she improved her position in the chasing group before taking the initiative at the second-last, leading from stablemate Balko Des Flos. On the long run-in, Any Second Now threatened to join battle with the pair before Minella Times strode away into the history books.

• 'I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the career I’ve had' - groundbreaking jockey Rachael Blackmore announces her retirement

• 'She's got bigger balls than any of the boys' - the making of Rachael Blackmore 

• 'Everybody wants to be the next Rachael Blackmore' - racing heavyweights pay tribute to record-breaking jockey 

A Plus Tard

Twelve months after finishing second on Henry de Bromhead's A Plus Tard behind the stable's Jack Kennedy-ridden Minella Indo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Blackmore told the trainer she felt she had erred in committing A Plus Tard too far from home and wanted to ride him to exploit his pace for his second attempt at the race.

The trainer gave his blessing for her to do as she pleased. Blackmore had already won a Cheltenham Festival race by 16 lengths and a Betfair Chase by 22 lengths on A Plus Tard by this point.

A Plus Tard was lying sixth and tucked away behind horses when Minella Indo took the lead at the third-last. Blackmore delayed the launch of her challenge until moving A Plus Tard into second past tiring rivals in a matter of strides between the last two fences.

A Plus Tard and Rachael Blackmore after winning the 2022 Cheltenham Gold CupCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

She was perfectly positioned to pounce going down to the final fence, and A Plus Tard jumped it boldly. Minella Indo was much less slick and a spent force as A Plus Tard bounded up the hill to win by 15 lengths, vindication of his trainer's faith and rider's tactical acumen.

Honeysuckle

For all the superstars that Blackmore rode throughout her illustrious career, Honeysuckle is the horse she is arguably most associated with by the majority of racing fans. Fast, slick, hardy and all-out class, Honeysuckle is considered one of, if not the, greatest jumps mares of all time and her and Blackmore were a match made in heaven.

Honeysuckle: four-time Cheltenham Festival winnerCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Four Cheltenham Festival wins that included two Mares' Hurdles (2020 and 2023) and back-to-back Champion Hurdles (2021 and 2022) were what Honeysuckle was best remembered for, but she also won a hat-trick of Irish Champion Hurdles (2020-2022), a hat-trick of Hatton's Grace Hurdles (2019-2021) and two Punchestown Champion Hurdles (2021 and 2022).

She finished her career with a record of 17 wins from 19 starts, accumulating £1,431,910 in prize-money.

Despite winning two Champion Hurdles, it was perhaps win number 17 on Honeysuckle's final start in the 2023 Mares' Hurdles at Cheltenham that is her most memorable. Having suffered the first defeats of her career earlier that season, Honeysuckle's brilliance was perhaps on the wane. So much so that she went off 9-4 joint-favourite for the Mares' Hurdle despite being a dual Champion Hurdler.

She joined Love Envoi jumping the last, but her rival gained a length advantage as they approached the climb to the finish. However, class and determination from horse and rider would prevail as Honeysuckle and Blackmore drew a length and a half clear to spark jubilant scenes at Cheltenham.

Captain Guinness

Captain Guinness was arguably not the most talented horse in the 2024 Queen Mother Champion Chase line-up, but he and Blackmore were the coolest under pressure. 

Rachael Blackmore pats Captain Guinness after winning the Queen Mother Champion ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The late withdrawal of Jonbon left 2-9 favourite El Fabiolo as the one widely expected to land the spoils. However, when he made a hash of the fifth fence and was subsequently pulled up the race was up for grabs and Blackmore took full advantage.

She tracked leader Edwardstone throughout and Captain Guinness didn't miss a beat with his jumping to keep the pressure on. Edwardstone fell two out leaving Captain Guinness in front. He started to wander but Blackmore was in full control and guided him home for another iconic success.

Bob Olinger

The Stayers' Hurdle was the only championship race at the Cheltenham Festival to elude Blackmore and she partnered old favourite Bob Olinger this year. The ten-year-old had been destined for greatness in his youth, winning back-to-back Cheltenham Festival Grade 1s in 2021 and 2022 under Blackmore, but he had only won twice in his subsequent ten starts and had gained a reputation for being a tricky ride.

No horse could make Blackmore look silly, but Bob Olinger gave it his best shot at times, often cruising into contention before showing much less enthusiasm when push came to shove.

However, Blackmore was full of confidence having won the Mares' Novices' Hurdle on Air Of Entitlement earlier on the card and gave Bob Olinger an absolute peach in the Stayers' Hurdle, creeping her mount into contention before unleashing his turn of foot at the perfect time to beat defending champion Teahupoo by a length and three-quarters.

Bob Olinger and Rachael Blackmore are led back to the winner's enclosure after winning the 2025 Stayers' HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

That would complete the championship set for Blackmore. Most jockeys are remembered for winning one of the four championship races at the Cheltenham Festival, Blackmore has won all four and to do it on a horse she was so fond of made it all the more special.

Read these next:

'I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the career I’ve had' - groundbreaking jockey Rachael Blackmore announces her retirement 

'She's got bigger balls than any of the boys' - the making of Rachael Blackmore 

'Everybody wants to be the next Rachael Blackmore' - racing heavyweights pay tribute to record-breaking jockey 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.