Cool and fearless, ‘Rachael' became an unwitting icon and role model 

When you’re identified by your first name, there’s a recognition factor and a pressure to perform that stalks every waking hour.

Rachael Blackmore has retired as the most successful female jockey in horse racing history. Photo: INPHO/Tom Maher

There had been a noticeable candour in Rachael Blackmore’s recent promotional interviews for her first children’s book ‘Granny National’ which hinted that a retirement might be imminent.

During the ‘five songs’ slot on Brendan O’Connor’s RTÉ radio show last weekend she was asked what she does to relax away from racing and immediately replied: “Go on holidays! Head (me) to Dublin Airport and take me somewhere. You definitely can relax when you’re out of Ireland.” In that one sentence we got some idea of the immense pressure that her phenomenal success has brought.