My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
On Grand National day, it seems appropriate to show some young steeplechase jockeys in training as they hurtle around the Steeplechase Ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. For some of these young riders, I imagine the ride is as scary as the race. My first thought when seeing this ride in motion was, “why aren’t they […]
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Noble Yeats was not considered a serious contender in the 2022 Grand National. The seven year old was considered too young and too inexperienced (the last time a horse this young won the Grand National was in 1940!). But the Grand National is nothing but unpredictable. Two of the favorites failed to finish. Last year’s […]
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Rachael Blackmore is an Irish jockey who, in 2021, became the first female rider to win the Grand National (in the 182-year history of the race) on Minella Times. In 2022, she followed that up by becoming the first woman to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. As we approach the 2022 Grand National, Rachael’s mother, […]
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Twenty-six year old Bryony Frost is the most successful female National Hunt jockey in British history. She’s got more than 175 wins to her name and is the first female rider to win the King George VI Chase, one of the three biggest races in Britain. And yet, there’s an undercurrent of resentment against her […]
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Rachael Blackmore made history yesterday by becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National Steeplechase. The 31-year old Irish jockey rode Minella Times to the victory at a closed track. It’s a shame that only a handful of people got to see her historic victory live. Last year the Grand National was canceled […]
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Freewheelin Dylan caused a seismic shock among racing fans by winning the BoyleSports Irish Grand National as a 150-1 longshot. His win was the greatest upset since the race was established in 1870. Everyone loves an underdog success story and the 9-year old gelding left no doubt he deserved the win by moving to the […]
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We’ve seen some pretty exciting rides from event riders who have lost a stirrup on course, but this ride by steeplechase jockey Hugh Morgan, is pretty incredible. After his stirrup leather broke after the first fence, he dropped the second stirrup, then continued on for three miles and 16 more fences. Watch the video below […]
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Unlike the virtual Kentucky Derby, which was a run-off between past champions, the 2020 Virtual Aintree Grand National featured the 40 horses who were already entered. Tiger Roll, who won the last two Grand Nationals, had been due to seek an unprecedented third consecutive win until the race was canceled because of the coronavirus. I […]
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