Racing

Rachael Blackmore’s history-making Grand National winner Minella Times retired

Blackmore became the first woman to win National on Minella Times in 2021

Rachael Blackmore passes the post at Aintree on board Minella Times in 2021. Photograph: Getty
Rachael Blackmore passes the post at Aintree on board Minella Times in 2021. Photograph: Getty
Tue Feb 21 2023 - 11:44

Rachael Blackmore acknowledged her life-changing Grand National success on Minella Times after the 2021 winner was retired through injury.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead was hoping to have another crack at the great race via the cross-country chase at Cheltenham. However, a shoulder problem has emerged which has forced connections to call time on his career.

He will be forever remembered as the horse who enabled Blackmore to become the first woman to ride the winner of the most famous race in the world.

“I think that day did change my life. I didn’t realise the scope of the Grand National or the reach that the race has until afterwards, it really does hit different parts of the world that other races perhaps don’t,” said Blackmore, speaking at the weights lunch for this year’s race.

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“Outside the racing bubble, it hits a lot of people and when you’re walking in today and you’re seeing replays of all the old races playing in the background, it’s just an incredible race and it’s a privilege to be a part of its history now.

“He’s such a special horse for me and he gave me the best day in racing that I’ve had – and there’s a lot of hot competition for that! It was such an incredible day and you just have so much gratitude for the horse when they give you something like he did. It was an incredible day and to be able to do it in the colours of JP McManus and for Henry just made it even more special.

“He’s always been a yard favourite I think and Henry and all the team have done such an incredible job with him to achieve that, so I’ll always be so grateful to Henry and everyone down there for what they did in getting him to win the race.”

Reflecting on the race itself she said: “He was just such a fabulous jumper. He jumped so well from fence to fence. Obviously we got a lot of luck in the race and got a beautiful passage throughout, so luck was definitely on our side and you need that in a Grand National.

Rachael Blackmore on Grand National winner Minella Times in 2021. Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA
Rachael Blackmore on Grand National winner Minella Times in 2021. Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA

“He’s just such an intelligent horse and it was such an enjoyable race to ride in, aside from going over the line which took it to a whole different stratosphere. Actually riding in the race was electric and jockeys always say that just getting around in the National gives you a bit of a kick and it’s true, there’s something different about it. I already had that buzz from him, it’s an incredible feeling to get round, so to actually win the race was incredible.”

De Bromhead said: “He suffered a setback yesterday so we have taken the decision to retire him. He absolutely loved it at Aintree. He’d had a really good season coming up to it, having been placed in a couple of really competitive handicap chases and the McManuses were keen to go for the race. It was an amazing day and one of our best.

“Winning any of those big races is incredible, but the National was an amazing day in its own right and the fact that Rachael was the first woman to win the race made it even better. We were bang in the middle of Covid lockdown when we won, unfortunately, but the media attention was still massive.”

McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry confirmed it was a shoulder problem.

He said: “We were looking forward to going to the cross-country at Cheltenham with him and back to the National, but he had a mishap – he hurt his shoulder. He might need an operation on it to make him comfortable in retirement. It’s just disappointing.

“He gave us a great day. It’s a real shame because Henry was very happy with him and we were looking forward to getting him back for the cross-country and the National again.

“The handicapper hit him very hard for winning the National and he struggled last year, but he had dropped back down a bit so it’s just unfortunate he’s had the accident. Hopefully he’ll be fine to have a good retirement.

“The season he won the National, Henry had him in great form, he put up two great performances at Leopardstown before Aintree and everything went smoothly there.

“He got a great ride from Rachael on the day and it was a day none of us will every forget.”