Blackmore Named BBC World Sports Star at SPOTY . Awards
Rachael Blackmore’s incredible year was capped by success in the World Sports Star category at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, her fourth award in as many days.
The record-breaking racer beat five opponents to win the award including Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, tennis star Novak Djokovic and American football legend Tom Brady.
Blackmore, who is speaking to the BBC via video link from Manchester Airport, said: “It’s just been an incredible year and far beyond anything I could have imagined.
“The response has been amazing, for me personally, those are huge things to achieve, but when you can bring a little joy to someone else it makes them all the more special.”
She added: “Honestly, I had such a kick when I made that shortlist.”
Her latest achievement comes less than 24 hours after winning RTE Sportsperson of the Year 2021 at a ceremony on Saturday night, an achievement she described as “phenomenal”.
Blackmore made history last season when she became the first female jockey to win the top rider award at the Cheltenham Festival, in a week when Honeysuckle starred in the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy.
A great season turned into a miracle as Blackmore broke another record, this time becoming the first woman to win the Randox Grand National at Aintree on another horse trained by Henry de Bromhead, Minella Times.
Blackmore competed against boxers Kellie Harrington and Katie Taylor, golfer Leona Maguire, Paralympic athletes Ellen Keane and Jason Smyth, Limerick hurdles star Cian Lynch, and soccer player Meath Vikki Wall.
Rachael Blackmore has been awarded the RTÉ Sport of the Year title after a remarkable 12 months in the saddle. pic.twitter.com/nf5WdCCzPx
– RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 18, 2021
The 32-year-old racer has joined Barry Geraghty (2003) and AP McCoy (2013) as the nation’s only race winner since its inception in 1985.
Saturday’s awards ended a great week for Blackmore, who was also named HRI Irish Racing Hero and Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year.
Speaking after receiving the prestigious honor at the RTE ceremony on Saturday night, Blackmore said: “It’s unbelievable. When you see the list of names that have won this award, even been nominated. it’s great.
“You’ll be blown away by the year that sports have been and are recognized as phenomenal. It’s been an incredible year for women in sport. I’m just a little overwhelmed.”
When asked to identify a highlight from 2021, Blackmore said: “It’s hard to believe it’s all happened this year. The Grand National is a special race, that’s what I thought of as a kid on the planet. my horse, my first hobby is racing. Getting into that race is a big deal and then to win is something you can’t even dream of.”
Minella Times wins Grand National at Aintree
She added: “I have snippets of the race that I remember; after it was definitely a bit fuzzy. I was in a race after that and I can’t tell you anything about it. It’s an incredible moment. The excitement when you cross the line is hard to explain.”
Blackmore paid tribute to Henry de Bromhead’s exploits throughout a remarkable 2021, having teamed up to unprecedented success in several at some of the sport’s biggest meetings. sports.
Blackmore said: “Being associated with Henry de Bromhead’s stable has taken my career to the next level.
“Like any relationship, it has its ups and downs but he’s a great man to work with. He’s incredibly good at his job, as his results show.
“He’s had an incredible Cheltenham, winning three championship races, setting the score 1-2 in the Gold Cup and 1-2 in the Grand National. I think that gets forgotten a bit sometimes. That’s it. just an incredible feat for a coach. I’m so lucky to be riding with his equestrian team.”
Joanne Cantwell and Darragh Maloney presented the award on RTE One, where Republic of Ireland’s first choice goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was named Young Sportsman of the Year.
Ireland’s light rowing team head coach Dominic Casey won Manager of the Year, while Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal were named Sports Team of the Year.
World doubles champion, Olympic silver medalist and retired Sport Ireland chief executive John Treacy were also inducted into the RTE Sports Hall of Fame.
A sensational 2021 retelling of Blackmore’s documentary, titled A Grand Year, will premiere on December 29 on RTE.