Jockey Rachael Blackmore and her rider boyfriend Brian Hayes will be putting romance on the back burner at 4pm tomorrow – as they race against each other in the Grand National.
Rachael, 34, has already written her name into sporting history after becoming the National’s first-ever female jockey winner when she won on Minella Times in 2021 and then the first female Gold Cup winner in 2022 on A Plus Tard.
On Saturday in the 30-fence, four-mile world’s greatest steeplechase she rides 16/1 hotshot Minella Indo and claims she has a great chance of winning her second Grand National.
But one of her biggest rivals for the crown is her own boyfriend Brian Hayes, 34, who rides 12/1 shot Mr Incredible.
Coral’s David Stevens explained: ‘For Rachael Blackmore and her partner Brian Hayes it could be more of a grudge match over the big fences.
Jockey Rachael Blackmore and her rider boyfriend Brian Hayes (pictured together) will be putting romance on the back burner at 4pm tomorrow – as they race against each other in the Grand National.
Mr Incredible and Brian Hayes at Uttoxeter on March 16.
Jockey Rachael Blackmore and Bob Olinger yesterday on day one of the 2024 Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse
‘Rachael currently holds the National bragging rights in their relationship, having made history when winning the 2021 race on Minella Times.
‘But Brian rides leading fancy Mr Incredible this afternoon, and if pips Blackmore’s mount Minella Indo on the line, they could be making separate journeys home!’
While Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: ‘When it comes to couple Rachael Blackmore and Brian Hayes, the love birds will become love rivals.
‘With the pair going head to head, it’s clear who is more popular. Blackmore is the nation’s sweetheart and has the public’s backing to come out on top.’
In 2021 Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the world’s greatest steeplechase on 11/1 Minella Times, with previously Katie Walsh’s third on Seabass in 2012 the best female rider’s finish.
Blackmore made history in 2021 after becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National
Blackmore, 31, said other women would follow in her footsteps after her win at the Grand National
Blackmore’s romance with her boyfriend and Grand National rival Brian will survive no matter who romps home at Aintree. Pictured: Blackmore seen yesterday
But on Saturday Rachael’s romance with her boyfriend and Grand National rival Brian will survive no matter who romps home at Aintree.
Since 2016, Rachael, Brian and fellow jockey Patrick Mullins, 34 – son of legendary trainer Willie Mullins – have shared a home together in County Carlow, Ireland — before Rachael and Brian became an item.
Rachael said: ‘It’s a great house to live in. We don’t talk about racing half as much as people might think.’
Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: ‘Rachael Blackmore set the bar for the fairer sex by becoming the first female to win the National on Minella Time three years’ ago and this time on Minella Indo no quarter will be given to her Mr Incredible boyfriend Brian Hayes if there’s not much room on the rail.’
