Rachael Blackmore created history in the Grand National in 2021 by becoming the first female jockey to win the prestigious event, steering Minella Times to success.
Blackmore enjoyed a further groundbreaking moment in 2022 when she followed her success in the National by winning the other major prize in jumps racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with her charge A Plus Tard.
The 33-year-old geared up for another Cheltenham Festival, and added further crowns to her name in the Mares’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase, although a second Gold Cup evaded her grasp as she was forced to pull up A Plus Tard after he was hampered by falling horse.
Ready For Another Grand National Tilt
She will now turn her attention to the Grand National in a bid to win the crown for a second time. Henry De Bromhead has a number of charges available for the race at Aintree, but the best hope could be Ain’t That A Shame in the horse racing latest odds at 20/1, although Blackmore could look elsewhere out of the strong yard at her disposal.
Minella Times is not available after he was retired due to sustaining a shoulder injury in preparation for another run at the event in 2023. Therefore, Blackmore will have a new charge to prepare, but it also gives her an opportunity to join a rare company of riders if she can achieve another win.
There is a select company of jockeys that have won the National with different horses, the last of which was Leighton Aspell when he rode Pineau De Re and Many Clouds to victory in 2014 and 2015. In the modern era of the National, there have not been many multiple-time champions with different charges other than Aspell, but there is usually a common theme, that they are quality jockeys that have established themselves as the top rider of the era, such as Ruby Walsh and Richard Dunwoody.
Blackmore can look to establish her own legacy with another victory.
Which Horse?
One of the skills of a champion jockey is selecting the best horse for the race. Given that Blackmore is De Bromhead’s top rider, she will have the first pick of all the charges available using the advice of the champion trainer and her own intuition.
Ain’t That A Shame seems to be the best suited out of De Bromhead’s yard to the challenges of the National, and Blackmore has already ridden him twice already this season. Ain’t That A Shame finished fourth in a race at Leopardstown and won a Beginners’ Chase at Gowran Park.
However, Envoi Allen could also be available for Blackmore fresh off his success with her in the saddle at Cheltenham Festival in the Ryanair Chase. It would be a huge step up for Envoi Allen to push over four miles in the National, but he did defeat Kemboy in the Champion Chase at Down Royal over three miles earlier in the campaign.
Blackmore has a tough decision on her hands, but it is a blessing to have so many options. Her choice could be career-defining at least in the short term as she seeks to firmly establish herself as the best operator in the business.