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Rachael Blackmore becomes first ever female rider to win Aintree Grand National

Rachael Blackmore has made yet more history. The Tipperary native has become the first-ever femal...



Rachael Blackmore becomes firs...
Racing

Rachael Blackmore becomes first ever female rider to win Aintree Grand National

Rachael Blackmore has made yet more history.

The Tipperary native has become the first-ever female rider to win the Randox Grand National.

She guided the JP McManus owned, Henry De Bromhead trained, Minella Times to victory at Aintree on Saturday evening, after going off at a starting price of 11/1.

Blackmore was only the 20th ever female to ride in the 30 fence contest.

De Bromhead enjoyed a one-two to keep his incredible season going with Balco Des Flos coming in second behind his stablemate.

It was another case of Irish dominance too with the Ted Walsh trained Any Second Now third ahead of Willie Mullins' Burrows Saint and the Denise Foster trained Farclas.

The favourite Cloth Cap was pulled up three fences from home, with 15 horses of 40 finishing the race.

Last month, Blackmore became the first-ever female to win leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival and was also the first ever femal winner of the Champion Hurdle on board Honeysuckle.

The 31-year-old only turned professional in March 2015.

Speaking to Racing TV after the victory, Blackmore was her usual humble self, thanking others involved in the win.

"This is the Aintree Grand National, I just can't believe we won, it's unbelievable.

"I got a fantastic passage the whole way through the race. Minella Times was unbelievable, he jumped fantastically, I don't think he missed a beat anywhere.

"He was able to travel into a gap, I felt like I had loads of space everywhere.

"You couldn't wish for a better passage around in a race, he travelled well, he was just unbelievable, his jumping was just second to none out there.

"For me, I'm just so lucky to be riding these horses for Henry De Bromhead. He trained a one-two there, that's incredible and that can't be forgotten either in the whole thing.

"I'm so privileged to have these colours on as well, to ride for JP McManus is always a privilege but to be able to win a race like this for him is phenomenal.

"It's been a tough year for their family so I hope this can make things a little easier for them all."

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Aintree Racecourse Rachael Blackmore Randox Grand National