Rachael Blackmore: Modest and magnificent 

Just three short weeks ago, she admitted to “pinching herself” after she became the first female jockey to be leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning the Randox Grand National.

Rachael Blackmore. Bona fide top-class jockey, bona fide history maker. A perfectly executed ride aboard the Henry de Bromhead-trained Minella Times earned her the place as the first lady rider to win the Randox Health Aintree Grand National, and it was little more than we have come to expect from the Tipperary native who has long since proven her ability to compete with the men.

What has changed in recent times is that she is beating them more often. So often, in fact, for those who work within the sport on a daily basis, her gender is not a talking point.