Rachael Blackmore's historic Grand National-winning horse Minella Times retired aged ten

RACHAEL BLACKMORE'S historic Grand National-winning horse Minella Times has been retired aged ten.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained runner was being fine-tuned for another go at the world's most famous race.

But he suffered a setback in his work and the decision was taken to retire him on the day the weights for the £1million Aintreee feature were revealed.

Minella Times won the 2021 renewal at odds of 11-1 for jockey Blackmore and billionaire owner JP McManus.

The victory turned Blackmore into a global superstar as she became the first woman to win the race in its 182-year history.

And it capped a magical month for the Irish rider, coming just weeks after she was crowned champion jockey at Cheltenham Festival - another record-setting feat.

But speaking of what that National victory meant, Blackmore told Betfair: "It’s a day I will never forget.

"He is such a special horse to a lot of people, now he will get to enjoy a wonderful well deserved retirement in Martinstown.

"Henry and all the team in Knockeen did such an incredible job with me and I will always be so grateful for that."

De Bromhead told the Racing Post: "We were hoping to have another crack at the Grand National with Minella Times but unfortunately he’s suffered a setback so he’s going to miss the race and we’ve decided to give him a well-earned retirement.

"The day he won the Grand National was magic.

"It’s up there with one of our best-ever days in racing and one we’ll never forget.

"He was absolutely brilliant on the day. He jumped fantastic and Rachael gave him an unbelievable ride."

There have sadly been more letters than numbers on Minella Times' form since that win.

He was pulled up on his last final two runs and was brought down in last year's National when again ridden by Blackmore.

He won four of his 24 races under rules and won £486,876 in total.

The Grand National weights for the 2023 race have been released - and last year's winner Noble Yeats is up a whopping 19lb.

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