Female Jockeys in the Grand National

Rachael Blackmore made history when becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National in the history of the race when guiding the Henry De Bromhead-trained Minella Times to glory in April 2021.

A number had tried but it was Blackmore who rocked the world with her victory aboard the J.P McManus-owned eight-year-old, leading home a one-two for De Bromhead with Balko Des Flos finishing a gallant second.

Her victory came 44 years after Charlotte Brew became the first woman to ride in the race aboard outsider Barony Fort and Blackmore will be hoping to repeat the feat in 2025 with last season’s third Minella Indo.

Since 1977 when Brew became the first woman to ride in the race, female jockeys have participated in only 30 Grand Nationals and it is hoped that Blackmore's victory will soon present more opportunities.

Rachael Blackmore

Name:	Rachael Blackmore
Age:	35
Trainer:	Henry de Bromhead
Best Grand National Finish:	Winner in 2021 aboard Minella Times

Blackmore has ridden in seven Grand Nationals since making her debut on Alpha Des Obeaux in 2018 and her first experience was a sore one as she parted company with her mount at The Chair.

Blackmore got round on her second visit to Aintree, finishing 10th on Valseur Lido in 2019, and it was third time lucky for her as she enjoyed that memorable success aboard Minella Times in 2021.

The then 32-year-old returned to ride Minella Times in the defence of their crown in 2022 but they parted company at Valentine's Brook, the ninth fence, and in 2023 she finished last of 17 finishers aboard Ain't That A Shame.

In 2024, Blackmore enjoyed another excellent spin when partnering 2022 Gold Cup runner-up Minella Indo to finish third, albeit some eight lengths behind runaway winner I Am Maximus.

Minella Indo was her runner again in the 2025 Grand National and the duo finished a respectable ninth.

Bryony Frost

Name:	Bryony Frost
Age:	29
Trainer:	Retained by owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede in France & Paul Nicholls
Best Grand National Finish:	Fifth in 2018 on Milansbar

Frost has recently switched her allegiances from Britain to France in her pursuit of new opportunities but the 29-year-old is still a frequent visitor to her homeland.

Frost, who won the King George VI Chase aboard Frodon in 2020, remains a top-class rider and her first spin in the Grand National was a memorable one as she finished fifth aboard the Neil King-trained Milansbar.

Katie Walsh

Name:	Katie Walsh
Age:	40
Trainer:	Retired
Best Grand National Finish:	Third in 2012 on Seabass

Katie Walsh has ridden a winner at the Cheltenham Festival and was a Grade One-winning jockey, but it was her third-placed finish aboard Seabass in the 2012 Grand National that was one of her greatest achievements.

That had broken new ground before Blackmore came around as Seabass, trained by her father Ted Walsh, was beaten seventh lengths by winner Neptune Collongers, making her the highest placed female jockey up to that point.

Alongside her sister-in-law Nina Carberry, Walsh still jointly holds the record for the most number of rides by a female jockey in the Grand National, having contested the Aintree marathon on six occasions.

Having ridden 181 winners in Ireland and eight in Britain, Walsh announced her retirement from the saddle following the Punchestown Festival in April 2018.

Nina Carberry

Name:	Nina Carberry
Age:	40
Trainer:	Retired
Best Grand National Finish:	Seventh in 2010 on Character Building

Carberry rode in the Aintree Grand National six times and completed the course on four occasions, with her best result seeing her finish seventh on Character Building in 2010.

On The Fringe did provide her with a victory over the Grand National fences in the 2015 Fox Hunters' Chase and she also enjoyed success at the Cheltenham Festival, making her one of the best female riders of her generation.

Like Walsh, Carberry also retired on the final day of the Punchestown Festival in April 2018, bowing out with her victory aboard Josies Orders in the cross country chase.

Other Female Jockeys in the Grand National

Lizzie Kelly, the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 race, had one ride in the Grand National in 2019 but she failed to finish aboard Tea For Two, while Gina Andrews’ bid become the first female amateur jockey to win the Grand National on Latenightpass last year saw her finish a very respectable 12th.

Tabitha Worsley enjoyed a nice spin in 2021, as she finished 14th on Sub Lieutenant, but there have been a total of only 20 female jockeys to have ridden in the Grand National and it may take some time before anyone emulates Blackmore’s achievements.

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