Ranking Rachael Blackmore’s Biggest Wins at the Cheltenham Festival

With Rachael Blackmore announcing her retirement, jump racing has lost one of its most defining figures of the modern era. Across an unforgettable career, few stages showcased her brilliance quite like the Cheltenham Festival, where she amassed 18 winners — a tally that includes victories in all four Championship races.

Whether overcoming tactical battles, defying the horse racing odds, or seizing the moment on the sport’s biggest stage, Blackmore consistently delivered when it mattered most. Her Cheltenham success came not only through star names like Honeysuckle and A Plus Tard but also via shrewd rides in novice contests, where her understanding of track bias insights and race tempo gave her a crucial edge.

As fans reflect on her Festival legacy, here’s our ranking of Rachael Blackmore’s most iconic Cheltenham wins.

1. Cheltenham Gold Cup – A Plus Tard (2022)

Topping the list is Blackmore’s historic Gold Cup triumph aboard A Plus Tard, where she became the first female jockey to win jump racing’s most prestigious race.

After finishing runner-up in 2021, she returned with ice-cold composure to deliver a 15-length demolition of the field. It was a career-defining moment that cemented her place among the sport’s greats.

2. Champion Hurdle – Honeysuckle (2021 & 2022)

Blackmore’s double strike in the Champion Hurdle aboard Honeysuckle marked the peak of their all-conquering partnership. In 2021, she made history as the first female rider to win the race; in 2022, she returned to defend the crown in even more dominant fashion. These back-to-back wins established Honeysuckle as a generational mare and Blackmore as her perfect pilot.

3. Queen Mother Champion Chase – Captain Guinness (2024)

Blackmore’s win in the prestigious Queen Mother Champion Chase came aboard Captain Guinness, a horse not widely favoured in the market. However, with odds-on market leader El Fabiolo pulling up early on, the race was blown wide open and Blackmore capitalised with an expert ride on the De Bromhead-trained nine-year-old.

4. Stayers’ Hurdle – Bob Olinger (2025)

Little did we know it at the time, but Blackmore’s final Festival winner came in the 2025 Stayers’ Hurdle aboard a resurgent Bob Olinger, a victory that was part of a day three double.

It was a fairytale result, both for the horse and rider, after a career of ups and downs together—with this marking the pair’s third Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 victory.

5. Ryanair Chase – Allaho (2021) & Envoi Allen (2023)

Blackmore landed the Ryanair Chase twice, first with the relentless Allaho in 2021 and again with the classy Envoi Allen in 2023. Allaho’s front-running demolition job set the standard for modern Ryanair winners, while Envoi Allen’s renaissance reminded everyone of Blackmore’s ability to nurse a talented horse back to his best. Both were vintage rides, delivered in contrasting styles.

Other Cheltenham Festival Wins

Though not Championship races, Blackmore’s wins in the Festival’s major novice events showcased her riding acumen and trust from top trainers:

  • Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
  • Triumph Hurdle
  • Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
  • Champion Bumper

All Grade 1s, these victories were stepping stones on the path to greatness and proved that from day one, Blackmore had the temperament and touch for Cheltenham success.