Rachel Blackmore 'misses' racing but happy with decision to retire

Rachel Blackmore, who was appointed as the Head of Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival, returned to the racing festival this week

Jockey Rachael Blackmore, The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2021 at the presentation of this years awards. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times

The ‘Queen of Cheltenham’, Rachel Blackmore, may have hung up her riding boots, but she was still on hand at the four-day horse racing festival.

Blackmore, who was appointed as the Head of Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival, told Virgin Media Sport that she still misses racing but that she is still happy with her decision to retire.

A legend of national hunt racing, Blackmore made history during her career as the first female jockey to win the Grand National and the Gold Cup. The Tipperary trailblazer retired last year, but still inspires people far beyond racing.

Speaking to Virgin Media Sport, she said: “Yeah, I mean, I still miss riding, miss racing. Part of me does. But I'm very happy with my decision [to retire].

“And yeah, there's never a good time, really I suppose, to retire. But I think I made the right decision, and it's great to be back here today as Head of Ladies Day with Cheltenham Racecourse. So, it’s nice to have a reason and a purpose to be here.” 

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Earlier this year, she and her partner, fellow jockey Brian Hayes, tied the knot during an intimate ceremony in Cork.

In a post-race interview with RacingTV earlier this year , he said: “I got married 10 days ago now, I suppose.

“Myself and Rachael got married, so yeah, off the market. [It was] a lovely day. We got married on the Friday down home in Rosscarbery, in my home place, went up there to Cavan then on the Monday and had a big party up there with all our friends and family and it was nice. Just nice to get married finally.” 

Back in February, Blackmore announced she is expecting her first baby. It wasn’t your typical pregnancy announcement, however, as fans worked it out for themselves after she shared a picture on social media with a box containing a buggy in the boot of her vehicle.