On Saturday, 10 April 2021, Rachael Blackmore made history at the Grand National, a gruelling British horse race, as she became the first woman to win. This has broken down one of the biggest gender barriers in sport as men and women in horse racing compete alongside each other and yet in 173 years, only one woman has won.
Blackmore is only the 20th female jockey to compete in the Grand National since it was started in 1839. Women have only been permitted to enter the race since 1975, making it a heavily male-dominated event.
“I never imagined I’d get a ride in this race, never mind get my hands on the trophy,” Blackmore said, showing not only her gratitude to have simply participated, but the absolute shock and honour it was to win.
Katie Walsh, who came in third place in 2012, which was the previous best position a female jockey had ranked in the race, named Rachael an “inspiration to male and female jockeys”, stating the “result couldn’t have been any better”.
Rachael Blackmore has only been a professional jockey since 2015, after a unique ascent to the profession, making this feat furthermore impressive and inspirational to women and everyone.
Written by Pippa Seager
Artwork by Zara Masood
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