RACHAEL BLACKMORE HAS won the Grand National, the Champion Hurdle, the leading Cheltenham jockey award.
So the 5.30 at Ballinrobe on a Friday night may not appear to be as glamourous in comparison but when you are chasing the Champion Jockey title for the 2020-21 season, every race is a big one.
After winning again – this time on Zoffanien – Blackmore is now trailing Paul Townend by eight (95 to 87) in the race to be crowned leading jockey.
Townend continues to be ruled out through injury after damaging his foot following a fall at the Easter Fairyhouse Festival. There is just over three weeks to go in the Irish jump jockeys’ championship, which will conclude on Saturday 1 May after the Punchestown Festival.
🗣 "I'd say he is progressive."@rachaelblackmor on Zoffanien who could have more 'big days' in him according to the winner rider following his success at @BallinrobeRaces @d_g_hogan pic.twitter.com/2H4IT9Sz7s
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 16, 2021
Afterwards Blackmore said: “We went a fair gallop but it suited me down to the ground.
“There could be an even bigger day in him yet.”