Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore was crowned BBC’s World Sports Star at Sunday night’s Sports Personality of the Year awards.
The 32-year-old beat Formula One world title winner Max Verstappen, boxer Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, NFL quarterback Tom Brady, tennis star Novak Djokovic and sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah – who were all on the shortlist for the prize.
After being announced as the winner, the Tipperary native said: “The support has been incredible and I got such a kick out of being on that list of nominees. It’s kind of overwhelming. It’s unbelievable.”
SHE’S DONE IT! 🙌
RACHAEL BLACKMORE WINS THE BBC WORLD SPORT STAR 2021! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/XWVcjRJgHJ
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) December 19, 2021
“I never even dreamt they could happen to be honest. It’s far surpassed anything I could have ever imagined. It’s just been an incredible year,” she added.
“The reaction has been brilliant, obviously for me personally they are such massive things to achieve but I think when you can bring a bit of joy to other people that makes it even more special.”
“The reaction from everyone at home has been incredible and I feel very privileged to have had the year I’ve add.”
Rachael made history earlier this year, becoming the first female jockey to win at the Grand National on Minella Times, trained by Henry de Bromhead.
At Cheltenham, she became the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle, and became the first female to be crowned Top Jockey at the racing festival.
