Rachael Blackmore, the first female jockey to win the Grand National in the race's 182-year history, retired from racing in May after career success 575 on a filly called Ma Belle Etoile at Cork. She married her long-term partner and fellow jockey Brian Hayes in a private ceremony in January and is now expecting her first child in May. Blackmore and her partner do not know the gender of their baby.
'No, we don't know (what we're having), it's going to be a nice surprise. It really doesn't matter. It's just such a cool thing,' she said.
I've gone off chocolate a bit, which is very strange for me! But I'm sure that will come back.
Blackmore has also changed some personal habits, noting, 'I've gone off chocolate a bit, which is very strange for me! ' According to sources, Blackmore has 18 Festival victories. She is now the Head of Ladies Day at Cheltenham Festival and has offered her expert opinion on several races at the event, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Blackmore previously rode Envoi Allen to victory in the 2023 Ryanair Chase, and Envoi Allen is competing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, currently trading around 28-1 odds. 'It is an open Gold Cup. I think the Henry de Bromhead factor applies here.
No, we don't know (what we're having), it's going to be a nice surprise. It really doesn't matter. It's just such a cool thing.
Can I see Envoi Allen winning? He's going to need a lot to kind of go wrong, not a lot, but he's going to need things to go wrong for others. Or does he?
I can see him being a massive each-way bet. He's a fantastic each-way bet,' Blackmore commented. Reflecting on her retirement, Blackmore said, 'Part of me isn't going to enjoy the week massively.
I love racing; I love riding and this week in March has been such a spike, the pinnacle for the last few years. That's not going to be there this week and I'm not sure how that makes me feel. ' She added, 'Winning.
It's the feeling of winning – you can't replace it. ' Whether she plans to return to racing after having her baby is unclear.