Grand National: Rachael Blackmore, onboard Minella Times, becomes first female jockey to win historic race
Female jockeys have only been allowed to enter and race in the National since 1975, when the Sex Discrimination Act was passed.
Saturday 10 April 2021 21:03, UK
The first ever female jockey has won the Grand National.
Rachael Blackmore has made history at the Aintree course, riding Minella Times to victory.
Three weeks ago, she became the first woman to finish as the leading jockey at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival and on Saturday took the race all riders want to win.
She said "I just cannot believe it... I am so lucky to be riding him and I just can't believe we have won the Grand National!"
The monument was described by pundits as "one of the greatest moments in the sport".
A jubilant Blackmore laughed: "I don't feel male or female right now - I don't even feel human! It's just unbelievable."
The 31-year-old Irishwoman, rode Minella Times at odds of 11-1 in the 173rd running of the famous race.
Blackmore has broken down one of the biggest gender barriers in sports by winning the gruelling race that has been a mud-splattered British sporting institution since 1839.
She is only the 20th female jockey to compete in it and until Saturday, Katie Walsh was the best-ever female finisher, when she took third on Seabass in 2012.
Female jockeys have only been allowed to enter and race in the National since 1975, when the Sex Discrimination Act was passed.