Rachael Blackmore makes history to become the first female jockey EVER to win Cheltenham Gold Cup

Rachael Blackmore became the first ever woman to win the Gold Cup in a record-breaking ride, triumphing on A Plus Tard in an enthralling showpiece at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday to take jump racing’s most coveted trophy.

The Gold Cup is the blue-riband event on the fourth and final day of the famous old horse racing festival.

A Plus Tard, the Henry de Bromhead-trained horse, streaked away from the field to win comfortably, successfully overcoming 10 competitors and negotiating 22 fences across three miles, two furlongs and 70 yards.

Rachael Blackmore made history on A Plus Tard, becoming the first ever woman to win the Gold Cup in the blue-riband event at the famous Cheltenham festival on Friday afternoon

Blackmore raced clear of the field on the Henry de Bromhead-trained horse to win comfortably

Speaking to ITV, Blackmore said: ‘I can’t believe it. I am so lucky to get to ride all these horses. 

‘You can’t do it without these horses. Being attached to Henry’s yard is unbelievable. I don’t know what to say.

‘I wouldn’t swap the Grand National for anything but this is the Gold Cup. I wish I had something better to say but I just can’t! I can’t explain how lucky I feel.’ 

Last season’s top three faced off again in a fascinating rematch, with Paul Townend on 2019 and 2020 winner Al Boum Photo, Jack Kennedy on last year’s winner Minella Indo and Rachael Blackmore on A Plus Tard. 

Blackmore was the leading jockey at last year’s meeting and went on to win the Grand National on Minella Times, but agonisingly finished second in last year’s Gold Cup to Minella Indo.

Legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson saw the horse he part owns, Protektorat, finish third.

More to follow.