Rachael Blackmore Q&A: 'Get your 10 minutes of worrying out of the way in the morning'
Rachael Blackmore ended up a jockey after initially wanting to be a vet.
Q: What was your childhood ambition?
A: To be a vet like John Halley.
Q: Growing up, who was your sporting hero?
A: Sonia O’Sullivan.
Q: What or where is your happy place?
A: On an adventure somewhere with friends.
Q: What sparked your love of racing?
A: Watching the Grand National and having a fast pony called Bubbles.
Q: What horse put you on the map?
A: Luska Lad, trained by Shark Hanlon and Klassy trained by Sam Curling – I won three point-to-points on both of them at the start of my career.
Q: Who is your favourite horse?
A: Without a doubt – Honeysuckle. We have had some special days together.
Q: What was it like to ride in your first race?
A: It was a Point to Point I finished 3 rd and taught it was easy, I did not make it back into the placings for the rest of that season!
Q: How long does it take to learn race-riding tactics?
A: It is ever evolving so you are always learning and adapting, the basics you can figure out after a short while. The more you ride the better you get.
Q: Describe the feeling of riding your first winner?
A: Shock, disbelief, and joy.
Q: What is your most memorable racing moment?
A: First winner at the Cheltenham Festival on A Plus Tard.
Q: What is your favourite racecourse in Ireland?
A: Leopardstown.
Q: If you weren’t a jockey what would you be?
A: Probably reapting the Leaving Cert AGAIN!!!! Trying to get the points for Veterinary.
Q: If you could ride one horse, what would it be?
A: Galileo.
Q: How do you cope with pressure?
A: Try not get to wrapped up in the situation.
Q: What mental preparation do you do for the big days?
A: Have the homework done as the day get closer don’t over think it (try not to anyway!)
Q: How do you stay motivated?
A: It’s very easy when your job is what you love, and you get to ride the horses I do.
Q: How do you deal with dips in form?
A: I usually give out and annoy the people I live with.
Q: Outside of racing, what is your favourite sporting moment?
A: Playing basketball in secondary school and getting to play in the National arena in Tallaght.
Q: Can you give us a Netflix/film recommendation?
A: I recently watched Captain Fantastic and enjoyed it.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure?
A: A Mars Bar and few squares of Dairymilk into the microwave with a small drop of milk - this equals a delish chocolate sauce which is delightfully poured over vanilla ice-cream, preferably Haagen-Dazs.
Q: Desert island discs – name your favourite three songs?
A: Yellow – Coldplay; Old Thing Back - The Matoma + Biggie; Dreams - The Cranberries.
Q: What person do you admire the most and why?
A: Right now, all the people working in the frontline around the world.
Q: Favourite dinner?
A: I love food. Roast Chicken, potatoes, veg, stuffing and gravy would be high on the list.
Q: Where is your favourite place to go on holidays?
A: I love to see the sea.
Q: What ambitions do you still have?
A: Invent something revolutionary.
Q: What is the hidden gem of Tipperary?
A: HINSPO in Cashel – an amazing interiors shop.
Q: When you think of your home what immediately springs to mind?
A: Jobs
Q: If you had one piece of advice for everyone during these worrying times of Covid-19, what would it be?
A: Get your 10 minutes of worrying out of the way in the morning, then have an ice-cream and just enjoy the rest of that day.
Q: If you were to go back to when you were 20 years old and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
A: There isn’t as much money in pet lambs as you think.
Source: HRI.
