Racing

Rachael Blackmore awarded honorary MBE for services to sport in Britain

Irish jockey became the first woman to win both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National

Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore has been awarded honorary MBE for services to sport in Britain.
Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore has been awarded honorary MBE for services to sport in Britain.
Wed Jun 28 2023 - 15:12

Rachael Blackmore has been made an honorary MBE for services to sport. The 33-year-old Tipperary-born jockey won the 2021 Grand National on Minella Times and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022 on A Plus Tard, becoming the first woman to win the two biggest prizes in National Hunt racing.

She was crowned leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021 and in the same year won the BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year award.

Blackmore is perhaps best known for her association with the Henry de Bromhead-trained mare Honeysuckle, who won 17 of her 19 races including two Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham.

Honorary MBEs recognise those from overseas who excel in their field in Britain. Frankie Dettori was made an honorary MBE in 2001 for his services to racing.