Rachael Blackmore and the Anthony brothers inducted into the Hall of Fame
The greatest female Jump jockey of all-time and three brothers who won seven Cheltenham Gold Cups between them almost a century ago are this season’s inductees into the Jump Racing Hall of Fame at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Rachael Blackmore announced her retirement from race riding back in May, having totally rewritten the rules for a female Jump jockey. In 2021, she was thrust on to the world stage when becoming the first female to ride a Grand National winner, partnering Minella Times to victory at Aintree.
Blackmore, who earlier this week was announced as an ambassador for Cheltenham Racecourse, was equally successful at the Home of Jump Racing as she forged a phenomenal partnership with trainer Henry de Bromhead.
She was leading rider at The Festival in 2021 and her total of 18 winners at Jump Racing’s Olympics included success in all five of the championship contests.
Honeysuckle memorably landed the Champion Hurdle in both 2021 and 2022, with A Plus Tard recording a historic Cheltenham Gold Cup success in 2022. There was also victory in the Ryanair Chase courtesy of Envoi Allen (2023), Queen Mother Champion Chase with Captain Guinness (2024) and Stayers’ Hurdle with Bob Olinger (2025).
Her exploits in 2021 saw her collect the World Sports Star at the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
On being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Rachael Blackmore commented: “Cheltenham is an incredibly special place, it’s where I’ve been lucky enough to experience some of the best days of my life and career. It’s a place that holds so many amazing memories for me, from my very first Festival winner, to unforgettable moments with phenomenal horses like Honeysuckle and A Plus Tard.
“To be inducted into the Hall of Fame here is a huge honour, being recognised alongside so many of the greats of our sport is something that still feels surreal.”
From 1927 to 1941, one family dominates the roll of honour for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Between them, three of the Welsh-born Anthony brothers won chasing’s Blue Riband on no less than seven occasions.
The Owen Anthony-trained Thrown In got the ball rolling in 1927 and was followed by two of the all-time greats in Easter Hero (Jack Anthony, 1929 & 1930) and Golden Miller (Owen Anthony, 1936).
The septet was completed by Morse Code (Ivor Anthony, 1938), Roman Hackle (Owen Anthony, 1940) and Poet Prince (Ivor Anthony 1941).
The trio of brothers were also responsible for each training a Champion Hurdle winner - Jack with Brown Tony (1930), Ivor with Chenango (1934) and Owen with Solford (1940).
Both Rachael Blackmore and the Anthony brothers will formally be inducted into the Hall of Fame on day one of The November Meeting this Friday (November 14th).
Guy Lavender, CEO at Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “The Hall of Fame celebrates the very best in Jump Racing and Rachael Blackmore’s achievements are on such another level I think it is totally right that she is inducted into it at the first possible opportunity.
“The Anthony brothers dominated the Cheltenham Gold Cup’s early years as trainers and their seven winners included two of the greatest ever in Easter Hero and Golden Miller. The way in which the contest’s stature and prestige grew is in no small part due to their tremendous success.”
The Hall of Fame at Cheltenham Racecourse displays over 100 years of history that hangs from the ceiling in iconic Cheltenham fashion, telling the story of the Home of Jump Racing.
Among those already inducted are such names as Golden Miller, David Nicholson, The Queen Mother, Dick Francis, Arkle, Sir Peter O'Sullevan, Vincent O'Brien, Sir Ken, Best Mate, Martin Pipe, Michael Dickinson, Dawn Run & Jonjo O'Neill, Fred Winter, The Rimells, Fulke Walwyn, Desert Orchid, Nicky Henderson, Kauto Star, Istabraq, Sir A P McCoy, Ruby Walsh, Lord Oaksey, Big Buck's, J P McManus, Quevega, Willie Mullins, Barry Geraghty, Tiger Roll and Richard Johnson.
