THE RANDOX GRAND NAT I ONAL F E S T I VAL 7-9 APRIL 2022
Blackmore and her mount Minella Times, owned by JP McManus and trained by Henry de Bromhead, had been a well-supported 11-1 chance on the day and ultimately emerged a comfortable winner of the race, six-and- a-half lengths clear of his stable companion Balko Des Flos. Afterwards Blackmore said of her historic victory: “I’m so lucky to be riding these horses for Henry. This is so massive.
12 months after the outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in the festival being postponed. With fans unable to attend and with only a small number of owners in attendance, what this year’s Randox Grand National lacked in atmosphere it more than made up for in drama, even producing a moment of sporting history. Because while only a tiny fraction of the many thousands who would ordinarily gather at horseracing’s most iconic
event were there to see it, those who witnessed Rachael Blackmore becoming the first female jockey ever to win the race was a moment they will never forget. Charlotte Brew had made history by becoming the first woman to participate in 1977 and between then and Blackmore’s achievement a further 31 had ridden in the race, with Katie Walsh coming closest when third on Seabass in 2012.
WHAT THIS YEAR’S RANDOX GRAND NATIONAL LACKED IN ATMOSPHERE IT MORE THAN MADE UP FOR IN DRAMA
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