Grand National 2021: 'It’s unbelievable. It’s just incredible' - Rachael Blackmore describes history-making moment on Minella Times

The 31-year-old, who grew up in Tipperary, is now widely regarded as the best National Hunt rider at present on both sides of the Irish Sea.

“Minella Times jumped fantastically and didn’t miss a beat anywhere. I couldn’t believe it, jumping the second-last - I don’t know, it’s just incredible,” she said.

“When I hit the rail and I heard I was four lengths in front, I knew he was going to gallop to the line, but we all know what can happen on the run-in here. When I crossed the line, I don’t know how I felt - it’s incredible.”

She went on to say: “It’s unbelievable. It’s just incredible. I just got such an unbelievable passage through the race. Minella Times just jumped fantastic and brought me from fence to fence.

“I just travelled and jumped everywhere. I wish I could give you a better run down of what happened. I got a beautiful passage everywhere. He travelled really well and jumped really well. I thought jumping two out I was trying to hold on to a bit as it is a long way home.

“He was just unbelievable. I’m riding all these horses for Henry de Bromhead who had a one- two there. I’m so privileged to be getting on these horses. A massive thanks to JP McManus as well.

“That is what you need in a race like this, you need so much luck to get around with no one else interfering first of all.

“You need so much to go right and things went right for me today. I feel so incredibly lucky. It is unbelievable I’m just so thrilled.”

Speaking to ITV after the race, trainer Henry de Bromhead was asked what his secret is after the huge success he enjoyed at Cheltenham - including the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and blue riband Gold Cup.

He said: “I don’t know it’s just brilliant, it’s all down to Rachael obviously, she was brilliant on him today, I’m just delighted - amazing, super ride, she hardly left the rail.

“She was just brilliant on him. It’s brilliant for the McManuses. Just over the moon. Balko (Des Flos, second) was super as well.

“It feels amazing, it really does - it’s incredible. It’s stuff you dream of. I’ve been watching it since I was a kid. It’s amazing, I’m just so lucky. She’s (Rachael) brilliant, isn’t she? Aren’t we so lucky to have her, they broke the mold after her. She’s brilliant.”

The race was marred by the death of The Long Mile who suffered a fatal injury while galloping between fences.

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