Top jump jockey Rachael Blackmore has been banned for five days over a bizarre incident in which she was accused of mistaking the winning post a circuit too soon.
The history-maker was riding in a 3m handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan this month when she went to the front at the eighth flight on 10-1 chance Lady Rita and forged into a clear lead with the winning post in sight.
She then began to pull up the horse as they crossed the line in front of the stands, even though there was still another lap of the race to come, before continuing the rest of the race, eventually finishing fourth, beaten 21 lengths.
Blackmore told a stewards inquiry that she was trying to ensure there was a strong gallop when she went to the front with a circuit to go but found the horse became “lairy” so she eased back.
The stewards were “not entirely convinced” with the explanation but were not certain her ride had prevented her failing to obtain the best possible placing and took no action.
But a separate investigation by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has found that she had made a misjudgement.
The Board’s hearing, to which Blackmore gave evidence, concluded she had been in breach of the rule which states, “Any rider who fails to obtain their best possible placing as a result of negligent misjudgement (including a misjudgement of the winning post or the number of circuits, easing their mount without good reason or stopping riding) shall be guilty of an offence under this sub-rule."
Blackmore became the first female jockey to ride the winner of the Grand National on Minella Times in 2021, a year in which she was also crowned BBC World Sports Personality of the Year.
Her Cheltenham Festival accomplishments include a 2022 triumph in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard and four victories on Honeysuckle, two in the Champion Hurdle.
