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Rachael Blackmore becomes FIRST female jockey to win Grand National on Minella Times at Aintree

RACHAEL BLACKMORE made history as the first EVER female winner of the Grand National.

Bookies feared a £15MILLION payout if the queen of the Cheltenham Festival won.

PA

Blackmore celebrates winning the Grand National on Minella Times[/caption]

PA

Blackmore made history as the first female winner of the Grand National[/caption]

Reuters

The Irish jockey, 31, made more history this year at Aintree[/caption]

And she surged clear on 11-1 shot Minella Times to win the world’s most famous contest convincingly at Aintree.

Not since February 1839 had a woman crossed the line in first on a horse in the National.

But Irish rider Blackmore, 31, looked in total control over the four-mile course, never once seriously troubled as horses all around foiled over the famous fences.

Katie Walsh previously held the best record for a woman, when she finished third on Seabass in 2012.

But if anyone was to do it, it was Blackmore.

She made history just last month when becoming the first woman to be crowned top jockey at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival.

Henry de Bromhead, who trained winner Minella Times, said of trailblazing Blackmore: “I’m so lucky to have her. She’s brilliant.”

More to follow.