Rachael Blackmore, the pioneering jockey who made history as the first woman to win the Grand National in 2021, is betting Britain’s youngest royal will soon follow in her footsteps.
The Irish rider, who shocked the racing world with his retirement last year, predicts that Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are destined to develop a taste for the track as they get older.
“I have a feeling that when they get to their teenage years, they want to go,” Blackmore said.
“Cheltenham is one of the best sporting events in Britain. I guarantee they will run in one form or another.”
Blackmore, who now acts as head of Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival, will be joined by none other than Zara Tindall, the accomplished rider and non-executive director at the racecourse.
She praised Zara as “funny, really, really sweet and of course an extremely skilled rider herself.”
The jockey has long enjoyed royal attention. She remembers Camilla visiting her County Waterford farm to meet her and her star horse, Honeysuckle.
“She’s just so passionate about horses,” Blackmore said. “It was great to see her admiration for Honeysuckle and all her achievements.”
Royal experiences don’t stop there. she was also given a front row seat to Wimbledon in 2023, sitting in the Royal Box behind Prince William and Princess Kate.
“She knew who I was and congratulated me on my success. She’s a beautiful person inside and out,” gushed Blackmore.
Zara Tindall, who recently unveiled a dazzling luxury jewelery line with Australian designer John Calleija, congratulated Blackmore after her New Year’s win at Cheltenham in 2024.
