Rachael Blackmore beats stellar list to win BBC World Sport Star of the Year award

When you can knock off the likes Tom Brady, Novack Djokovic, Max Verstappen and a host of other sporting luminaries to take out the prestigious BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year for 2021 you know you must have had an exceptional year.

Rachael Blackmore did just that to land yet another stunning victory, not only for herself, but for the sport of horseracing.

Blackmore’s significant honour roll included two standout achievements.

In March Blackmore became the first female rider to leave Cheltenham as the leading jockey at the famous festival after putting six winners on the board

Then, a month later, came Blackmore’s pièce de resistance, when she guided the $11 chance Minella Times to what will forever remain a famous victory in the Gran National … again becoming the first woman to salute in the race.

Elite sportsman like Blackmore don’t like any distinction being made in terms of gender and, in a sport where male and female participants compete on the same terms, that is fair comment.

It is her achievements alone, and nothing else, that earned her this latest honour following a year in which she thoroughly thrilled racegoers, from the part-time to the racing tragics, while also providing enormous encouragement to the next generation of young riders looking for inspiration.

And that inspiration can be found not just in her actions, but also in her attitude.

With all of the world-wide hype around the name Rachael Blackmore after the Grand National, Blackmore response summed up how humbled she was by all that was going on around her.

“I can’t believe I am Rachael Blackmore. I still feel like that little kid. I don’t feel male or female right now. I don’t even feel human. This is just unbelievable,” said Blackmore.

“I hope it does help anyone who wants to be a jockey. I never thought this was possible for me.

“Just keep your dreams big, I suppose. That’s all the inspiration I have for you.”