Rachael Blackmore is hoping Minella Indo can run a big race in the Grand National.
Blackmore, who in 2021 became the first woman to win the Grand National when she guided Minella Times to victory at Aintree, is back for another bite of the cherry in 2024. Her 2022 and 2023 endeavours, however, didn't go quite as well.
She finished plum last 12 months ago aboard Ain't That A Shame and fell at Valentine's on Minella Times the year before that. Just like in 2022, she'll be partnering an old friend when the tapes go up for the start of the 2024 Grand National.
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That's because Blackmore has been jocked up on Minella Indo, who won at the Cheltenham Festival for the Irish jockey in 2021. They have been reunited on multiple occasions since, although Jack Kennedy was on board when Minella Indo won the Gold Cup in that same year.
Blackmore has piloted the Henry De Bromhead-trained horse in two of three starts this season, including for their victory in the Irish Daily Star - Best For Racing Coverage Chase back in October. She's excited to reunite with the 11-year-old, who looks to have the bags of stamina required for a serious tilt at the National.
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Betfair ambassador Blackmore assessed Minella Indo's chances ahead of the race. She said: "I'm delighted to have such a fantastic ride in the Grand National. It's such an important, special race. It's brilliant to be riding in the race.
"I think if you are down at the start in the Grand National, you have as good a chance as anyone. But to be down at the start on a former Gold Cup winner will be brilliant.
"Minella Indo is a very classy horse who I'm hoping will take to Aintree well. It was really disappointing that he didn't get to run at Cheltenham, when the Cross-Country Chase was abandoned. But he's in great order and we're really hoping that he can run a big race. It should be a great race. It always is."
This year's Grand National marks the 60th year of the Injuried Jockeys Fund, which was set up to support and make a difference to the lives of jockeys. Throughout the current National Hunt season, Betfair and Blackmore have been supporting the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Irish Injured Jockeys Find with their Serial Winners charity initiative.
The fund was launched in November with an initial £100,000 donation. However, since then Betfair have committed to donate an extra £5,000 every time Blackmore rides a winner up until the end of Grand National Day.
So far an additional £105,000 has been added to the pot, taking the total up to a massive £205,000. Blackmore will be hoping she can boost that total further with another memorable winner at Aintree on Saturday.
Betfair Ambassador, Rachael Blackmore said: “As a jockey you just want to ride in the Grand National, you never think that you're going to be lucky enough to win it. It's very, very special, it touches different parts of the globe that other races don't.
“This year at Aintree, I'm hoping to add to the Serial Winners Fund, which is such a generous initiative run by Betfair in support of the Injured Jockeys Fund in Ireland and UK, it’s one that I am very proud to have been a part of this season. This really is a substantial donation and will support the vital work they carry out helping jockeys in all areas of their lives."
