How Rachael Blackmore became horse racing's latest superstar

A sensational jockey, but not an overnight sensation, Rachael Blackmore's relentless pursuit of her own progress has helped to carry the sport forward

Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Minella Times for owner JP McManus and trainer Henry de Bromhead. Picture: Healy Racing

Rachael Blackmore. A sensational jockey, but not an overnight sensation. If you’ve joined the Blackmore story in recent weeks, having read about and watched her winning with regularity at Cheltenham and with authority at Aintree, you’ve missed the development of a star whose relentless pursuit of her own progress has helped to carry the sport forward.

From the days of pony club, the best part of two decades ago, to the participation in point-to-points as an aside to her studies, and then to the top of the tree of track jockeys, she has smashed every glass ceiling along the way.