RACHAEL BLACKMORE WAS taken to hospital for further assessment on a leg injury after suffering a heavy fall at Killarney on Friday.
Having steered Baltinglass Hill to a nose victory in the preceding race, the Grand National-winning rider was partnering 11-10 favourite Merry Poppins in the Download The BoyleSports App Handicap Hurdle when parting company at the fifth obstacle.
The 32-year-old was attended to on track by medics before being moved into an ambulance.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board posted an update from Dr Richard Downey on Twitter which read: “Rachael Blackmore is being taken to Tralee Hospital for further assessment on an upper leg injury following a fall in Race 4 at Killarney. She is fully conscious.”
In March Blackmore became the first woman to ride the winner of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, aboard the brilliant mare Honeysuckle, and her six winners at the Festival saw her crowned leading jockey.
The following month her profile reached stratospheric levels after she became the first woman to land the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree aboard Minella Times.
Oh sorry to read this.. Speedy recovery Rachel
Sickening, hopefully it’s just heavy bruising, she probably needs a break, the June one seemed so short. Hope it’s nothing more serious, she’s an absolute gem and a great person to promote the sport and equality (without ever mentioning it herself without being asked). She’s an absolute gift. Hope she recovers soon.
@This time its personable!: The bruising will do, no break required.