Killenaule jockey Rachael Blackmore has been named as the Irish Times / Sport Ireland Sportsperson of the Year.
Henry De Bromhead's stable star rode six winners at the Cheltenham Festival for a number of trainers, before going on to become the first woman ever to ride the winner of the Aintree Grand National on April 10th.
She steered home De Bromhead's Minella Times at odds of 11/1 in Liverpool to secure a historic victory.
The 32-year-old became the first female jockey to claim the leading jockey title at Cheltenham as well as the first woman to win the Champion Hurdle, on board Honeysuckle, with whom she has established a winning partnership - the pair remaining unbeaten having recently captured a third consecutive Hattons Grace Hurdle.
To date, Blackmore has rode six winners at the Cheltenham Festival - her 2021 victories came aboard Honeysuckle, Sir Gerhard, Bob Olinger, Allaho, Tellmesomethinggirl and Quilixious.
Accepting the award in person at the ceremony in Dublin, which was streamed online, Blackmore described winning the award as being really special.
“It’s been such an incredible year for sport and particularly for women in sport. To be nominated is fantastic but to win an award like this, it’s so special, it really is. When you look at the people you are up against and their achievements. It’s hard to comprehend that you’ve come out on top of that, it’s unbelievable.”
Paying tribute to all the 2021 winners, Sports Editor of The Irish Times Malachy Logan said the unparalleled performances by Irish sportswomen in 2021 captivated the Irish public throughout a year when they needed more than ever to have their spirits lifted.
Blackmore is also nominated for the RTE Sportsperson of the Year Award with that ceremony taking place tomorrow, while she is also nominated for World Sports Star of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
