Rachel Blackmore Wins the 2021 Randox Grand National

Rachael Blackmore has made history yet again. On Saturday10th April, 2021 she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National. In the 173rd running of the world-famous race, we saw a sporting contest that might transcend all others.

The 31-year-old jockey was partnered with the Henry de Bromhead trained, 11-1 shot, Minella Times who would be JP McManus’ second Grand National win after Don't Push It in 2010.

Having dominated the Cheltenham Festival only a few weeks before in a momentous win on board Honeysuckle (also trained by Henry de Bromhead), the duo look unstoppable.

For many years the Grand National has been labelled as "not a girl's race". Rachael's victory shows that that was always nonsense.

Prior to her unprecedented accomplishment at the weekend, aspiring girls only had Velvet Brown (played by Elizabeth Taylor) in the film National Velvet (1944) to look up to. However, unlike that protagonist, Rachael Blackmore won't have her Grand National win stripped from her for being ineligible to ride.

Blackmore’s success is unprecedented, but her participation wasn't. Charlotte Brew was the first female to ride in the race in 1977, closely followed by Geraldine Rees, who was the first female to finish the course. Most recently, Katie Walsh placed third when riding Seabass in the 2012 event.

Blackmore demonstrated copious race understanding as she waited for the opportunity to make her all-important move with Minella Times. 11-2 favourite, Cloth Cap, raced prominently until dropping back and later being pulled up three out. At this point Minella Times was going a strong gallop to take the leading position and seize a six-and-a-half-length victory.

Despite there being a crowd of only a few hundred spectators, the phenomenal victory has been, and will continue to be, celebrated by millions.

'I just cannot believe it! He gave me an absolutely sensational spin. I'm so lucky to be riding him and I can't believe we've just won the Grand National. I don't feel male or female right now. I don't even feel human. This is just unbelievable' she exclaimed as she and Minella Times were led back in.

The victory is shared with JP McManus, Henry de Bromhead, his team and all those that support horse racing in any shape or form. Rachael wouldn’t have it any other way.

Henry de Bromhead, who made history himself when last month sweeping the Champion Hurdle, the Champion Chase and the Gold Cup in the same week, trained not only his first Grand National winner but also the second.

'It feels amazing, it really does' said De Bromhead when interviewed. 'I've been watching the Grand National since I was a kid. I'm just so lucky – and aren't we so lucky to have Rachael? They broke the mould with her. She's brilliant.'

The feeling will last, and those who watched - some lucky enough to be present - all shared in the excitement of witnessing such a momentous occasion unravel.

A Grand National to remember. Rachael Blackmore continues to inspire us all.