Rachael Blackmore sheds light on jockeys 'slagging' each other before Grand National
Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National and has opened up about the unique atmosphere before the race.
Rachael Blackmore acknowledges there is a distinct atmosphere in the jockeys' weighing room ahead of the Grand National. The 2026 running of the world-renowned steeplechase takes place on Saturday afternoon.
Blackmore cherishes special memories of Aintree, having made history five years ago as the first female jockey to triumph in the National aboard Minella Times. In recognition of her achievement and numerous other contributions to the sport, she has been honoured at the meeting with an on-course bar being renamed in her honour. The thrilling four-mile-two-and-a-half furlong National can leave a punter breathless and according to Blackmore, nerves also intensify for those competing in the race.
"I think it has such a different feel in the weighing room beforehand to any of the Cheltenham races," Betfair Ambassador Blackmore said. "There's more of an air of excitement rather than divine focus. You know what I mean? Before a Champion Hurdle, some people sit quietly and are in their own thoughts, while others are over-chatty because that's how they deal with it.
"But the National, everyone's just kind of, there's a bit of a buzz. There's definitely a buzz. There's a bit of slagging, a few jokes and a few good looks here and there. It's got a real different feel to it. You don't get that with any other race."
The Irish jockey also confesses that growing up, the National was the race she looked forward to watching most. She said: "The Grand National is the race I would have watched as a kid. It would be the first race that captured my imagination of horse racing. I can't remember what won it, but I remember being on the couch, watching the race and seeing the jumps on TV.
"It's that kind of race for any kids growing up, I think who might want to be exposed to it at all, you know? I really felt it after I won as well. It was after having a really good Cheltenham in 2021.
"There's obviously lots of media and attention and congratulations and it was phenomenal, but after the Grand National, that just scaled up a whole other level. It really hit home, the reach the race has and the different parts of the world that tune in to watch it. It's just that race around the world. It's that race for families.
"Families watch it who might never watch another race all year. So it is such a special, special race to be a part of. I just feel so lucky to be a part of its history now."
Rachael Blackmore was speaking ahead of the Aintree Grand National Festival, play different at the Grand National this year with Betfair.
