A native of Killinaule, Co. Tipperary, Rachael Blackmore rode her first winner in 2021, and turned professional aged 25 in 2015. The desire to be an amateur jockey was there, but the dream to succeed as a professional was even stronger.
Graced with passion, Rachael emerged as a star by breaking records, boundaries and highlighting the power of sport for the younger generation. There is no gender separation in racing. Men and women compete together on equal terms and Rachael Blackmore is some competitor. Since 2015, Rachael has rewritten racing’s history books. 2021 was a memorable year as she became the first female jockey to ride a winner in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Henry De Bromhead’s Honeysuckle going on to win the ‘Ruby Walsh Trophy’ for leading jockey, riding an incredible 6 winning horses at the festival.
Less than a month later, she continued to make history, becoming the first female to win what is widely regarded as horse racing’s biggest and toughest race, the Aintree Grand National. With 40 riders and 30 fences, Rachael captured the attention of the world as she rode Minella Times to victory in front of a global audience.
2021 also saw Rachael claim the BBC World Sport Star, RTE Sportsperson, Irish Times Sportswoman, Irish Independent Sportsperson, Her Sport Sportswoman and Horse Racing Ireland’s Racing Hero Awards.
Rachael season round-up
The last day of the Punchestown Festival on Saturday 4 May was also the last day of the 2023/24 Irish National Hunt season, with another successful season for KPMG ambassador Rachael Blackmore.
One of Rachael’s many highlights of the season was her win on Captain Guinness in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham festival in March. It was Captain Guinness’ first Grade 1 win and with that, Rachael joined an elite group of riders winning 4 of the biggest races in the form of the Champion Hurdle, the Gold Cup, the Grand National and the Champion Chase.
The Queen of Cheltenham returned in 2024 with another top-class performance. Riding Slade Steel to victory on Day 1 of Cheltenham in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Captain Guinness, Rachael’s title was firmly cemented.
Rachael won a Grade 3 chase on Minella Indo in the early part of the season, with a strong performance by Henry de Bromhead's 11-year old gelding. With Bob Olinger, Rachael rode him to win the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan in November.
Rachael won the Thyestes Chase on Ain’t That A Shame and she won the Leopardstown Chase on Heart Wood and she won the Red Mills Hurdle on Lantry Lady. She also won a beginners’ chase at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve on Monty’s Star.
It gets better…
In March 2022, Rachael Blackmore made history by winning the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup, retaining her Champion Hurdle title, and winning the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Rachael and A Plus Tard finished 15 lengths clear, showing the determination and perseverance of this exceptional sportswoman.
Rachael and Honeysuckle have been a match made in heaven, each responsible for boosting the other’s career. In Cheltenham in 2023 Honeysuckle bowed out in style with Rachael leading her to a 4th and final Cheltenham win. The pair won the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle on Day 1 of the Festival. Rachael had a second win of the week on Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase at Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival.
In late 2023 Rachael was awarded a honorary MBE for her outstanding achievements and services to sport in the UK. In recognition of her becoming the first woman to win the two most prestigious races in National Hunt racing.
At the 2024 Cheltenham Festival Rachael Blackmore put in a stellar performance. Rachael secured the first win of the week in the Supreme Novices Hurdle (Grade 1) on Slade Steel. Followed with a historic win that saw Rachael becoming the first woman to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Captain Guinness.
Having won a pair of Champion Hurdles on Honeysuckle, and the Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, Blackmore has now secured the third jewel in the festival’s crown and earning her the title the ‘Queen of Cheltenham’. What an inspiration Rachael is.
Reaching new heights together
Building on KPMG’s commitment to women in sport ethos and helping drive change in Irish culture, we were proud to launch a 2-year partnership in February 2021 which saw Rachael come on board as a KPMG brand ambassador.
KPMG is a long-term supporter of women’s sport in Ireland and strives to create equality between men and women’s sport in Ireland, having previously supported the 20x20 campaign. Sponsoring Rachael complements our existing partnership with golf professional Leona Maguire as they both look to build on their achievements to date.
Investing in young talented people is at the core of our business and I know that Rachael will inspire all of us with her dedication and commitment to her sport.
The support I receive from KPMG truly is invaluable, they have brought an element of recognition and visibility that I couldn’t even have dreamt of starting my career. Having a global organisation with a reputation like theirs is a huge confidence boost for both me as a jockey and a person. It enables me to continue competing at the very top of my sport, but also on a personal level, I am extremely proud to wear their logo on my race gear and take a huge sense of pride from it.
Competing at the top!
Rachael races 250 days of the year. It’s a demanding sport, involving year-round dedication to training and racing up and down the country.
We caught up with Rachael to understand what building on success looks like, and how she continues to drive forward in a fast-paced industry whilst performing consistently at the top level.