- Blackmore rode Minella Indo to a third place at the Grand National
- The Aintree race ended the Rachael Blackmore Serial Winners Fund
- Money raised will be donated to the Injured Jockeys Fund and Irish Injured Jockeys
Betfair has rounded up the final amount of the Rachael Blackmore Serial Winners Fund to £250,000 as the charity initiative ended in Aintree on Saturday.
The fund, which celebrates and recognizes the determination and hard work of jockeys in the racing world, was officially launched on Betfair Chase Day at Haydock Park last November.
Betfair initially made a £100,000 donation before pledging to make an additional donation £5,000 every time Blackmore rides a winner between Grand National Day and Grand National Day.
The Irish jockey has raised a total of £210,00 in the last 140 days, including winning two races at Cheltenham.
Betfair have confirmed that they have rounded the final amount to £250,000.
Rachael Blackmore, right, rode Minella Indo to a third place at the Grand National
I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, took victory in the Grand National at Aintree
Blackmore has managed to raise £250,000 for charities as part of the Serial Winners Fund
Proceeds will be shared equally between the Injured Jockeys Fund and Irish Injured Jockeys, charities that improve the lives of jockeys in Britain and Ireland.
‘The Serial Winners Fund was an incredible initiative that Betfair has been running throughout the season in support of the Injured Jockeys Fund in Ireland and Great Britain. I’m very proud to have been a part of it,” Blackmore said.
“This is a truly substantial donation, generously matched by Betfair, and will support the vital work they do to help jockeys in all areas of their lives.”
The charity initiative was launched in conjunction with Betfair’s ‘Serial Winner’ documentary series, which focused on Blackmore.
“The Serial Winners Fund has been a fantastic journey for all of us; Betfair, the IJF, Irish Injured Jockeys and Rachael. It has been a real team effort from the start and we have all been cheering Rachael on,” said Charlotte Booth, Chief Commercial Officer of Betfair.
‘Our team visited both Oaksey House in Lambourn and the RACE facility in Ireland and witnessed first-hand the work that both charities do.
“It’s nothing short of amazing to see the services and support they provide to jockeys and the dedication of the teams. These are such important causes for the racing community, and I am sure this initiative has raised awareness of these great causes.
‘Rachael has been brilliant throughout and the highlight has to be her two Cheltenham winners, which added £20,000 to the pot.
Blackmore rode Minella Indo to third in the Grand National on Saturday as the initiative came to an end.
A second Grand National victory looked possible when Minelle Indo challenged in the closing stages, but I Am Maximus came through to win at Aintree, with Delta Work second.
“When we came to the Channel Bend, we thought Rachel and Minella Indo would complete the initiative in the most spectacular way, but I’m Maximus had other ideas,” said Lisa Handcock, CEO of IJF.
“It has been a wonderful campaign for us and we are so grateful to the Betfair team for supporting us so generously.”
Michael Higgins, General Manager of the Irish Injured Jockeys added: “We are delighted to be part of the Betfair Serial Winners Fund alongside our British colleagues, the IJF. Thanks to Betfair for her generosity and Rachael for her winners.”
