History-maker Rachael Blackmore becomes the first woman to win the Grand National

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The Randox Grand National has thrown up some amazing and romantic outcomes but Rachael Blackmore wrote one of the most remarkable chapters in its 173-year history as she became the first female jockey ever to win the race on 11-1 shot Minella Times.

Covid-19 protocols meant the race was eerily run in front of deserted, almost silent Aintree grandstands save for a few hopeful owners, grooms and staff.

But what Blackmore, 31, achieved will be shouted loud around the sporting world.

Ask anybody with knowledge of the racing world about Blackmore and they will reliably inform you she likes to let her riding do the talking and while comfortable in front of the camera usually gives the impression she would prefer to be elsewhere. 

But the 2021 Grand National was about one woman who has made a remarkable career journey and now finding a quiet corner away from the spotlight might be difficult for a few days.

The daughter of a dairy farmer and a teacher, Blackmore is not from a racing family. Her younger sister is a lawyer and her older brother a graphic designer.

Initially, Blackmore wanted to be a vet before ending up studying equine science in Limerick. Back then she wanted to be an amateur jockey not believing it was feasible to turn professional.

She didn’t do that until she was 25 and even then it was a move done in hope of turning a trickle of rides into a respectable flow.

A chance link up with Minella Time’s trainer Henry de Bromhead that was suggested by Eddie O’Leary, racing manager to his brother Ryanair boss, Michael was a turning point.

Momentum has arrived in surges throughout Blackmore’s career, and she receives plentiful support from her partner and fellow jockey Brian Hayes.

She is currently 10 winners behind injured reigning champion Paul Townend in the Irish Jockeys’ championship. 

Amateur rider Charlotte Brew was the first female jockey to take part in the National when Barony Fort refused at the 27th fence in 1977.

Going into Saturday’s race 17 different female jockeys have ridden 31 starters in the marathon steeplechase with the third place finish of Katie Walsh on Seabass in 2013 the best result.

Asked if she could believe what she had achieved seconds after crossing the line, Blackmore said: ‘I don’t feel male or female – I don’t feel human!’

The bare facts of the result are that Blackmore and Minella Times beat their Henry De Bromhead-trained 100-1 stablemate Balko Des Flos six-and-half-lengths with Ted Walsh-trained Any Second Now beaten eight and a quarter lengths in third and Willie Mullins-trained Burrows Saint beaten just over 27 lengths in fourth.

The Irish whitewash was even more crushing than that. Blaklion, the Dan Skelton-trained sixth, was the only British-trained horse in the first 11 finishers.

For De Bromhead, it was an extension of a remarkable few weeks after he trained the 1-2 in the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Minella Indo and A Plus Tard and also won the Queen Mother Champion Chase with Put The Kettle on and Champion Hurdle with Blackmore-ridden Honeysuckle.

But it is Blackmore, who was having only her third ride in the race, who will steal all the headlines.

She rode six winners at last month’s Cheltenham Festival to become the first female rider to be the meeting’s leading jockey.

But Saturday’s victory takes the profile of the 31-year-old from Tipperary into a different stratosphere.

Going into the race Blackmore had admitted that like any pony-mad youngster she had dreamed of riding in the National.

Afterwards she said: ‘This is the Aintree Grand National. I’m completely blown away. I got a fantastic passage the whole way. Minella Times was unbelievable, he jumped fantastic, I don’t think he missed a beat anywhere.

‘He was able to travel into a gap, I seemed to have loads of space everywhere and you couldn’t have wished for a better passage. His jumping was second to none.

‘I’m so lucky to be riding these horses for Henry de Bromhead. He trained a one-two there which is incredible. That can’t be forgotten in the whole scheme of things.

‘This is a massive deal for me personally, not the fact I’m a female.

‘The thing that hit me when I crossed the line was that I’d won the National, not that I’m the first female to win the National. I’m just delighted.’

Virtually everything the Blackmore has touched recently has turned to gold recently.

Even though the Grand National has the reputation as the most unpredictable race in the world, there almost seemed an inevitability that she would do crack it.

Minella Times was always with the leaders racing towards the inside.

He was in fifth going out on the second circuit and crossing the Melling Road between the third last and second-last fences, it was clear the Blackmore dream could become a reality.

Long-time clear leader Jett had come back to the pack and the only horse who looked to be going as well as Blackmore on Minella Times was Patrick Mullins on 2019 Irish National winner Burrows Saint.

But his stamina had given way by the last fence and when Minella Times jumped the final obstacle better than Balko Des Flos, victory was all but sealed even though Blackmore took nothing for granted.

She added: ‘When I hit the rail (at the Elbow on the run-in) and I heard I was four lengths in front, I knew he was going to gallop to the line. But we all know what can happen on the run-in here. When I crossed the line, I don’t know how I felt – it’s incredible.’

De Bromhead trains in County Waterford in a stable that was once home to the 1895 Grand National winner Wild Man From Borneo

Despite his personal success, De Bromhead heaped a lot of credit on his jockey.

The trainer said: ‘It’s all down to Rachael obviously, she was brilliant on him. It was a super ride, she hardly left the rail. Aren’t we so lucky to have her, they broke the mould after her. She’s brilliant.’

Whereas Minella Times jumped almost flawlessly, things did not go as smoothly for Any Second Now made a few costly errors.

The latter’s jockey Mark Walsh said: ‘He was very unlucky, he very nearly got brought down at the third last and he’s done great to finish third.’

Favourite Cloth Cap raced with the leaders until an error four from home saw him quickly fold with jockey Tom Scudamore, who told the stewards his mount had had a breathing issue, pulling him up shortly after.

Trainer Jonjo O’Neill said: ‘Tom said he was grand then he gurgled. He did the right thing pulling him up.’

There was one equine fatality, The Long Mile who fractured a hind leg.

The race was not as memorable for Britain’s leading female jockey Bryony Frost, who was taken to hospital for assessment after a heavy fall at the 20th fence on Yala Enki.

The other female jockey to ride in the race, Tabitha Worsley, finished 14th on Sub Lieutenant. 

Relive all the action from the Grand National with Sportsmail’s KISHAN VAGHELA here.