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Rachael Blackmore made history in last year’s Grand National by becoming the first female jockey in history to win the world’s greatest steeplechase.
The County Tipperary native partnered the Henry De Bromhead-trained Minella Times to victory in the marathon handicap at Aintree in April 2021 to cap off an incredible few weeks in the saddle.
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At the previous month’s Cheltenham Festival, Blackmore became the first woman to be named the leading jockey after six victories including the Champion Hurdle, Ryanair Chase and Triumph Hurdle.
All of her magnificent achievements took place behind closed doors due to coronavirus restrictions in the United Kingdom meaning there were no fans in attendance.
While she was unable to defend the Ruby Walsh Trophy at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, the grandstands at Prestbury Park were packed to the brim to witness her retain the Champion Hurdle with Honeysuckle and land the big one, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, on board A Plus Tard.
It was a dream come true for Blackmore and sets her up for perfectly for another crack at the Grand National – but who is she partnering at Aintree on Saturday, April 9, 2022?
The De Bromhead yard saddles just two runners in this year’s renewal – Minella Times and Poker Party – and Blackmore, unsurprisingly, has opted to stay loyal to the horse that carried her to glory 12 months ago.
Minella Times will attempt to become just the third horse since World War II to win the Grand National two years in a row but he has the daunting task of carrying top weight as the highest-rated runner in the field.
The last horse to achieve that feat? The legendary Red Rum in 1974.
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