Blackmore’s superb ride on Minella Times was notable as was 10 of the first 11 horses to finish being from across the Irish Sea
For the outside world looking in, to follow their once-a-year flutter on the horses, there was only one aspect of Rachael Blackmore’s historic success on Minella Times in Saturday’s Grand National that really mattered: two X chromosomes, rather than the one that tends to be the norm for a jump jockey. And a first victory for a female rider, in the 173rd running of the National and 44 years after Charlotte Brew was the first woman to take part, was certainly a landmark for the sport, and its many female participants in particular.
From the inside looking out, however, it could be argued Blackmore’s gender was not the most remarkable aspect of her win, nor the best measure of the scale of her personal achievement. She has always insisted she is a jockey, not a female jockey, and her performance on Minella Times was simply the latest in a long line of flawless rides that would have been the sure mark of an exceptional talent, regardless of whether it was a man or a woman holding the reins.
Written by Greg Wood
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2021/apr/11/rachael-blackmores-grand-national-win-underlines-irelands-dominance under the title “Rachael Blackmore’s Grand National win underlines Ireland’s dominance | Greg Wood”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
