![Racheal Blackmore to receive a top Horse Racing Ireland [HRI] award](https://www.irishpost.com/i/no-image.png "Racheal Blackmore to receive a top Horse Racing Ireland [HRI] award")
RACHAEL BLACKMORE, the Irish sensation and Grand National winner is set to receive a HRI ( Horse Racing Ireland) award next month.
Blackmore, a Killenaule native had a year to savour when she became the first woman to claim the Leading Jockey award at Cheltenham Festival with six winners, only topped by Rugby Walsh. She then followed this up with a win at Aintree, she became the first woman to ride the winner of the iconic Grand National with success aboard Minella Times.
Barry Geraghty won the Irish Racing Hero award last year, with Ruby Walsh and Pat Smullen joint recipients in 2019, and Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry likewise triumphant in 2018.
🌟 Rachael Blackmore wins HRI’s 2021 Irish Racing Hero Award 🌟
Her pioneering exploits at the Cheltenham Festival and at Aintree went hand-in-hand with unprecedented success for Irish-trained, Irish-ridden and Irish-bred horses 🏇
Read More 👉 https://t.co/1dTlKrdwvV pic.twitter.com/hKUWVXp0lf— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) November 10, 2021
Rachael’s achievements on two of jump racing’s biggest stages are truly historic,” Suzanne Eade, interim CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said as today’s news was announced.
“Not only was she the first woman to ride the winner of a championship race at Cheltenham, but Rachael also became the first woman to win the Leading Jockey award at the festival. It is remarkable that her six winners included five at Grade 1 level.
“Her Aintree Grand National victory made headlines all over the world and that accomplishment alone will resonate with so many within the racing industry and beyond.
“Rachael has become more than a role model; she is a true icon of our wonderful sport and a most fitting winner of the 2021 Irish Racing Hero Award.”
The HRI Awards will take place in early December, with nominations for the remaining awards categories to be announced tomorrow.
Kildare , Ireland - 30 April 2021; Jockey Rachael Blackmore (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)