Rachael Blackmore Inducted as Grand National Legend

Rachael Blackmore, the trailblazing jockey who became the first woman to win the Grand National in 2021, was inducted as a Grand National Legend at Aintree Racecourse on Thursday, April 9, 2026, ahead of the iconic race scheduled for Saturday, April 11. The 36-year-old Irish rider, who retired from race-riding last year, also officially opened a new alcohol-free bar named in her honor and will make her broadcasting debut as part of the ITV Racing presenting team covering the event.

The induction ceremony took place on the opening day of the Randox Grand National Festival, where Blackmore unveiled a plaque commemorating her achievements. The plaque will be mounted on the wall of Blackmores Bar, a newly renovated space offering coffee, pastries, and non-alcoholic beverages. Featuring artwork by street artists from MurWalls and contributions from students at Holy Rosary School in Aintree, the bar provided free coffees to the first 100 visitors. Aintree Racecourse chair Julian Taylor described the honor as an "enormous privilege," adding that Blackmore's 2021 victory aboard Minella Times "is one that none of us will ever forget." He called her a "sporting icon, not just here at...