Historic Grand National Win Still Hasn’t Sunk In For Jockey Rachel Blackmore

Rachel Blackmore made history over the weekend as the first female jockey to win the Grand National at Aintree, piloting 11-1 chance Minella Times across the wire first on Saturday. Prior to Blackmore's win, the closest a female jockey had come to winning the world's most famous steeplechase race was Katie Walsh's third on Seabass in 2012.

In her post-race interview, Blackmore told the world: “I don't feel male or female right now, I don't even feel human. This is just unbelievable.”

Blackmore told BBC Sport on Tuesday that the victory still hasn't really sunk in.

“It's been such a whirlwind since it happened,” the jockey said. “I haven't really processed the fact that I have won the Aintree Grand National. I've watched the replay a few times – but it's still just hard to comprehend it all.”

She added that the gender disparity hasn't been a major issue for her in her career as a jockey.

“For me in racing it's been extremely level,” Blackmore told BBC Sport. “I think the achievements of Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh, when I entered the weighing room were so big that the gender thing was never an issue.

“I've just carried that forward. For me personally it's never been an experience I have had in racing in recent times, and that's something that racing should be very proud of.”

Female jockeys were first allowed to enter the Grand National in 1975, when the Sex Discrimination Act was passed. Blackmore is the 20th female jockey to compete in the race.

Read more at BBC Sport.

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Three Grand National Entries In Goffs Online March Sale

Goffs has 68 confirmed entries for its Online March Sale on Mar. 24, including three horses with entries for the Randox Grand National on Apr. 10. The sale will be a timed auction, meaning there will be no auctioneer and bidding on each lot will close in accordance with the times noted on their catalogue pages.

The three Grand National entries to be offered are the multiple graded winner Alpha Des Obeaux (Fr) (Saddler Maker {Ire}) (lot 47); the G1 Ryanair Chase winner Balko Des Flos (Fr) (Balko {Fr}) (lot 20) and the multiple graded winner Ballyoptic (Ire) (Old Vic {Ire}) (lot 31). Both Alpha Des Obeaux and Balko Des Flos are entered and will run in the Cheltenham Festival's Cross Country Chase on Mar. 17.

Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “Goffs have a proud and proven record of selling Grand National winners having sold 35 winners of the race including three-time race winner Red Rum and dual winner Tiger Roll. We have offered numerous Randox Grand National entries in recent years and they are always well received by the market given the rare opportunity they represent whilst they certainly add something special to any sale. Our online sales though our proven Goffs Online platform have been well supported by vendors and buyers from around the world and with all horses offered with a Veterinary Certificate, which buyers can vet against post sale, prospective purchasers can bid with confidence. Those wishing to bid online must first register and be approved by Goffs. Registrations are open and all registrations must be made before the deadline at 12 noon on Tuesday, Mar. 23.”

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Trainer Gordon Elliott Under Investigation After ‘Totally Unacceptable’ Photo Goes Viral

Three-time Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott is under investigation by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board after a disturbing photograph was circulated on social media this weekend. In it, Elliott appears astride a stricken horse on the ground while making a peace sign. Some versions of the image have the caption “New work rider.”

Elliott acknowledged the photograph late Saturday night with a Tweet:

“I'm aware of a photo circulating on social media. The IHRB have been in contact with me regarding this photo and I will be cooperating fully with their investigation.”

On Sunday, he published an apology on his social media accounts, beginning: “Firstly, I apologize profoundly for any offence that this photo has caused and can categorically state that the welfare of each and every horse under my care is paramount and has been central to the success that we have enjoyed here at Cullentra.”

Both Horse Racing Ireland and the British Horseracing Authority have condemned the photograph, and Betfair has discontinued its association with the top national hunt trainer.

“While we recognize that Gordon deeply regrets and apologized unreservedly for his poor judgement, his actions are completely at odds with the values of the Betfair brand and that of our employees,” a spokesperson told racingpost.com. “With that in mind, we have decided to discontinue our association with Gordon with immediate effect.”

Following is Horse Racing Ireland's statement:

“Horse Racing Ireland unreservedly condemns the disturbing photograph that appeared on social media at the weekend.

“This image does not reflect the care, attention and respect that racehorses receive, and does a disservice to the thousands of people who look after their horses on a daily basis. Horse Racing Ireland notes and supports the IHRB investigation into the circumstances around the photograph.

“From a disciplinary perspective, the matter is in process, so any further comment on the matter or the detail of the case at this time would not be appropriate.”

Following is the British Horseracing Authority's statement:

“The BHA is appalled by the image that appeared this weekend. We expect all those in our sport to demonstrate respect for horses, on the racecourse, in the training yard, on the gallops, and wherever they have horses in their care.

“People who work in our industry believe their values – of caring for and respecting our horses – have been deeply undermined by this behaviour. On their behalf, and on behalf of all horse-lovers, we say unequivocally that British horseracing finds this totally unacceptable.

“The BHA is considering its own regulatory options, recognizing that the Irish authorities license Mr. Elliott and are carrying out their own investigation.”

Following is Elliott's full statement from Sunday:

“I would like to address the speculation and rumors that have been rife since an old photo of me began circulating on social media yesterday afternoon.

“Firstly, I apologize profoundly for any offence that this photo has caused and can categorically state that the welfare of each and every horse under my care is paramount and has been central to the success that we have enjoyed here at Cullentra.

“The photo in question was taken some time ago and occurred after a horse had died of an apparent heart attack on the gallops. I appreciate that an initial viewing of this photo suggests it is a callous and staged photo but nothing could be further from the truth.

“At what was a sad time, which it is when any horse under my care passes away, my initial reaction was to get the body removed from where it was positioned.

“I was standing over the horse waiting to help with the removal of the body, in the course of which, to my memory I received a call and, without thinking, I sat down to take it. Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was finished.

“Such background information may seem trivial at this time and will not allay the concerns of many people both within and outside the world of horse racing.

“However, I feel it is important to provide people with some context surrounding this photo. To the racing community, to anyone who has worked with and loves horses and to anyone offended by this image I cannot apologize enough.

“Horse welfare and the care and attention to detail involved is absolutely at the core of everything we do here and both myself and all of my team pride ourselves on those standards.

“Again I apologize for any offence caused and ask people to consider this statement as opposed to the various falsehoods and misinformation being circulated on social media.

“At this time I would like to stress that I continue to extend my full cooperation with the ongoing IHRB investigation.”

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Gordon Elliott Cooperating With IHRB Regarding Disputed Photo

Three-time Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott is fully cooperating with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB)'s inquiry into a disputed photo allegedly displaying Elliott sitting on a dead horse, the BBC reported on Sunday. The image, which some believe to be digitally altered, appears to show Elliott making a peace gesture while sitting on a dead horse lying on its side and captioned “new work rider”.

“I'm aware of a photo circulating on social media,” the trainer tweeted late on Saturday night. “The IHRB have been in contact with me regarding this photo and I will be cooperating fully with their investigation.”

On Sunday evening, Elliott released another statement in addition which reads: “I would like to address the speculation and rumours that have been rife since an old photo of me began circulating on social media yesterday afternoon.

“Firstly, I apologise profoundly for any offence that this photo has caused and can categorically state that the welfare of each and every horse under my care is paramount and has been central to the success that we have enjoyed here at Cullentra.

“The photo in question was taken some time ago and occurred after a horse had died of an apparent heart attack on the gallops. I appreciate that an initial viewing of this photo suggests it is a callous and staged photo but nothing could be further from the truth.

“At what was a sad time, which it is when any horse under my care passes away, my initial reaction was to get the body removed from where it was positioned.

“I was standing over the horse waiting to help with the removal of the body, in the course of which, to my memory I received a call and, without thinking, I sat down to take it. Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was finished.

“Such background information may seem trivial at this time and will not allay the concerns of many people both within and outside the world of horse racing.

“However, I feel it is important to provide people with some context surrounding this photo. To the racing community, to anyone who has worked with and loves horses and to anyone offended by this image I cannot apologise enough.

“Horse welfare and the care and attention to detail involved is absolutely at the core of everything we do here and both myself and all of my team pride ourselves on those standards.

“Again I apologise for any offence caused and ask people to consider this statement as opposed to the various falsehoods and misinformation being circulated on social media.

“At this time I would like to stress that I continue to extend my full cooperation with the ongoing IHRB investigation.”

Early on Saturday the IHRB said that it was “aware of an image circulating on social media and the matter is under investigation.”

An IHRB spokesman added to the BBC on Sunday,” The investigation is ongoing and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.”

The British Horseracing Authority has been made aware of the situation and is in contact with the Irish authorities.

Said a BHA spokesperson, “We hope the Irish authorities will quickly confirm how this shocking picture originated. Respect for horses is a fundamental value of our sport, contrary to the impression in this picture. The IHRB have assured us that the investigation will be carried out as quickly as possible and that they will keep us informed as more information becomes available.”

Elliott is currently readying a strong squad of horses to contest the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. Among his stable is two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) who is targeting the Cross-Country Chase there before a potential record-equaling third National at Aintree in April.

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