Grand National winner Minella Times retires from sport after injury ends his racing career.
Top racehorse, Minella Times, who famously carried Rachael Blackmore to win the Grand National in 2021, has retired from racing this week. The ten-year-old, owned by JP McManus and trained by Henry de Bromhead was preparing for the 2023 Grand National when he experienced a ‘setback’, picking up an injury on Monday 20th January 2023. Trainer Henry said that the setback led to the decision to retire the horse.
Riding Minella Times, not only was Rachael the first female to win the Grand National in 2021, but the dynamic duo won the prestigious event with six and a half yards clear. She stated;
It really is a day I will never forget – that feeling when you cross the line is just hard to put into words.”
He [Minella Times] is incredible and a very special horse to me, to Henry, to JP and his family and it is great now he can go and enjoy a fantastic retirement.
Rachel describes Aintree as “a wonderful place with a wonderful crowd – it’s very special”.
2021 was an outstanding year for Rachael, who also pulled off the title for the First Female Jockey to win The Champion Hurdle, riding Honeysuckle. Later that week, she furthered her success by going on to become the first female to be awarded the Top Jockey’s award at Cheltenham for the ‘most jockey wins’.
Minella Times, who is out of Oscar (sire) and Triptoshan (dam) will retire having won 4 races from 26 starts under Rules, earning £486,876 in prize money during his career. The horse’s retirement will leave Rachael without a ride in this year’s Grand National – it is thought she will likely ride one of De Bromhead’s remaining entries.
Rachel is in no doubt that Minella Times will enjoy a “wonderful and well deserved retirement at Martinstown”, and says she “will not forget” her Aintree winner.
Feature image for illustration only.
