Grand National

Why Is Rachael Blackmore Not Riding In The 2026 Grand National?

3 hours ago

| BY Alex McMahon

Rachael Blackmore, the first and only female jockey to win the Grand National after steering Minella Times to victory in 2021, will not be riding in the 2026 race after announcing her retirement at the end of the 2025 jumps season.

Blackmore created history when piloting the JP McManus-owned gelding to a six-and-a-half lengths success over stablemate Balko Des Flos in 2021 and she has been a huge hit with punters – both casual and professional – in Aintree’s showpiece race ever since.

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At the time of her retirement, Blackmore had a total of 575 career wins under rules and she is regarded by many as the finest female jockey to sit in the saddle. In addition, the 2021 BBC World Sport Star of the Year recorded 18 Cheltenham Festival wins prior to her retirement.

Rachael Blackmore Grand National Record

As of April 2026, Rachael Blackmore has ridden a total of seven times in the Aintree Grand National – and here are the rides and results:

2018 – Alpha Des Obeaux (Fell at The Chair)
2019 – Valseur Lido (10th)
2020 – No race
2021 – Minella Times (1st)
2022 – Minella Times (Fell at Valentine’s Brook)
2023 – Ain’t That A Shame (17th)
2024 – Minella Indo (3rd)
2025 – Minella Indo (9th)

Post-Racing Life

Rachael Blackmore and long term partner Brian Hayes are now officially married after tying the knot in January 2026, with a private ceremony taking place in Rosscarbery, County Cork.

Just a few days later, husband Brian was back in action on the racetrack and he labelled himself as “off the market” in a post-race interview on Racing TV. Hayes said: “Oh, yeah, I got married last…ten days ago I suppose. Myself and Rachael and I got married, so yeah, off the market.

“It was a lovely day. Yeah, we got married on Friday at home in Rosscarbery in my home place. Went up to Cavan on a Monday, and a big party up there with all our friends and family. It was nice to get married finally.

“We were racing two days later at Fairyhouse. But yeah, we might go somewhere in June there. We have a month off in June. So we might do something.”

Around a month or so later, Blackmore took to Instagram to announce that she was pregnant and expecting her first child. Posting an image of her car with a baby pram in the boot, she added the caption: “Love driving the Volvo XC60 BA. Boot contents looking a little bit different now…”