Name: Rachael Blackmore
What was your childhood ambition? To be a vet like John Halley.
Growing up, who was your sporting hero? Sonia O’Sullivan.
What or where is your happy place? On an adventure somewhere with friends.
What sparked your love of racing? Watching the Grand National and having a fast pony called Bubbles.
What horse put you on the map? Luska Lad, trained by Shark Hanlon and Klassy trained by Sam Curling. I won three point-to-points on both of them at the start of my career.
Who is your favourite horse? Without a doubt, Honeysuckle. We have had some special days together.
What was it like to ride in your first race? It was a point to point. I finished third and taught it was easy. I did not make it back into the placings for the rest of that season!
How long does it take to learn race-riding tactics? It is ever evolving so you are always learning and adapting. The basics you can figure out after a short while. The more you ride the better you get.
Describe the feeling of riding your first winner? Shock, disbelief, and joy.
Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase onboard A Plus Tard at Cheltenham last year Photo: Inpho
What is your most memorable racing moment? First winner at the Cheltenham Festival on A Plus Tard.
What is your favourite racecourse in Ireland? Leopardstown.
If you weren’t a jockey what would you be? Probably repeating the Leaving Cert again! Trying to get the points for Veterinary.
If you could ride one horse, what would it be? Galileo
How do you cope with pressure? Try not get to wrapped up in the situation.
What mental preparation do you do for the big days? Have the homework done as the day gets closer and don’t over think it (try not to anyway!)
How do you stay motivated? It’s very easy when your job is what you love, and you get to ride the horses I do.
How do you deal with dips in form? Usually give out and annoy the people I live with.
Outside of racing, what is your favourite sporting moment? Playing basketball in secondary school and getting to play in the arena in Tallaght.
Can you give us a Netflix/film recommendation? I recently watched Captain Fantastic and enjoyed it.
What is your guilty pleasure? A Mars bar. A few squares of Dairymilk into the microwave with a small drop of milk. This equals a delish chocolate sauce which is delightfully poured over vanilla ice-cream, preferably Haagen-Dazs.
Desert Island Discs, name your favourite three songs? Yellow by Coldplay; Old Thing Back by The Matoma + Biggie; Dreams by The Cranberries
What person do you admire the most and why? Right now, all the people working on the frontline around the world.
Favourite dinner? I love food. Roast chicken, potatos, veg, stuffing, gravey etc would be high on the list.
Where is your favourite place to go on holidays? I love to see the sea.
What ambitions do you still have? Invent something revolutionary.
What is the hidden gem of Carlow? It is far from hidden, but I love going to Mimosa for tapas.
When you think of your home what immediately springs to mind? Jobs.
How are you occupying your time during the Covid-19 restrictions? At home, doing… jobs.
If you had one piece of advice for everyone during these worrying times, what would it be? Get your 10 minutes of worrying out of the way in the morning, then have an ice-cream and just enjoy the rest of that day.
If you were to go back to when you were 20-years-old and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be? There isn’t as much money in pet lambs as you think.
