Champ jockey Rachael is set to tie the knot in new year

RACHAEL

- BY EAMON DOGGETT

Blackmore is getting married to her long-term partner and fellow jockey Brian Hayes next month.The Tipperary woman, who retired in May after a record-breaking career, has been dating fellow rider Brian for many years. And her former boss, trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon, revealed the pair are to tie the knot in the new year.

Hanlon shared the news while praising the jockey, who received the prestigious Contribution to the Industry Award at the Horse Racing Ireland Awards on Monday.

Blackmore rode her first winner as an amateur jockey for Hanlon in 2011 and met her now-fiance Hayes at the Carlow yard.