Rachael Blackmore Made Honorary MBE

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | 11:17 am

Updated: June 28, 2023 at 1:54 pm

Jockey Rachael Blackmore celebrates after winning the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle with Honeysuckle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Tuesday March 14, 2023.

History-making jockey Rachael Blackmore, who in 2021 became the first woman to ride the winner of the Grand National, has been made an honorary MBE for services to sport.

After landing Aintree's famous race aboard Minella Times (Ire), Blackmore, 33, also won the following season's Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard (Fr). The Irish jockey was crowned leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021, the same year she won the BBC Sports Personality's World Sport Star of the Year award.

Notably, she forged a famous partnership with the great mare Honeysuckle (GB), who retired at the end of last season with 13 Grade 1 wins to her credit, including two Champion Hurdles.

Honorary MBEs recognise those from overseas who excel in their field in Britain. Italian-born Frankie Dettori was made an honorary MBE in 2001 for his services to racing.