Rachael Blackmore is a history-making Grand National winner and her incredible victory five years ago is certainly a hard one to beat.But for such a decorated jockey, there are many contenders for a career highlight – and Blackmore can’t separate her top two.Blackmore became the first-ever female jockey to win the Grand National in 2021GettyThe retired 36-year-old wrote her name in the history books in 2021, becoming the first female ever to win the Grand National.She rode Minella Times to glory at Aintree a few weeks after also becoming the first female jockey named leading rider at Cheltenham.It was a stunning achievement and one Blackmore looks back on as one of the best memories from her racing career.However, she has revealed there is just one other moment that stands alongside that feeling of winning the Grand National.“Yeah, it’s the standout moment,” Betfair Ambassador Blackmore exclusively told talkSPORT.com ahead of the 2026 Grand National.“I think I have two moments that stand out for me when I look back. I feel so spoilt to have a choice between such incredible days.“In Cheltenham, Aintree, Fairyhouse, Punchestown, I’ve been so, so lucky…but when Honeysuckle won her last race in 2023, that was very, very special, and then the Grand National as well.“It’s hard to split them, but they were two incredible days.” Honeysuckle won the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham two years ago, capping off a stunning racing career.It was her fourth straight win at the festival, with Blackmore riding her for all of her starts, winning 13 Grade One races.Blackmore rode Honeysuckle to glory in the horse’s final ever race back in 2023GettyShe sees that achievement as a close contender to winning the Grand NationalGettyBut the historic win on Minella Times remains one of her career highlightsPAHonoured at AintreeBlackmore may have made history at Aintree and Cheltenham, among other racecourses, but the former has now honoured her.She is going to be inducted as a Grand National Legend for 2026, joining the likes of JP McManus, Tiger Roll and Red Rum – and speaking on the award, she said: “It’s such an incredible honour.“Winning the Grand National is such an incredible thing to do and you feel so ingrained in the history of the race and this on top of it, it’s an incredible honour.”As well as being inducted as a Grand National Legend, Aintree are also honouring Blackmore by naming an alcohol-free bar on the course after her this week.She added: “I think it’s really cool, I never thought there’d be a bar at a racecourse called ‘Blackmore’s Bar’, so I’m looking forward to seeing it and I’m heading over for the opening on Thursday.“I’m looking forward to seeing it and hopefully they’ll be giving out free hot chocolate or something!”Blackmore has been honoured by Aintree for her achievements at the Grand NationalPAWhat is it like to fall in a Grand National?It’s not always been glory for Blackmore in the Grand National though, as she fell on Minella Times a year after winning.And in a race that has so many runners, jockeys being thrown down onto the turf is sure to be a very scary experience.“When you hit the ground, you hear the different motions come past you and you’re hoping nothing hits you,” Blackmore recalled.“But horses are such amazing animals and horse will do their utmost to avoid you, and I’ve been on horses with a jockey on the ground and they’ve side-stepped them or jumped them, so they don’t want to get tangled up in riders either.“I think, falling is part of being a jockey, there’s just seconds and moments when you hit the ground and you’re hoping that nothing comes over you.”She added: “I’ve broken my nose, hip, ankle, wrist, neck, so I’ve had my fair share, but that’s just part of what we do and there’s a reason two ambulances follow us around when we ride…”Blackmore retired last year after an incredible career in horse racingGettyLife after retirement Fortunately, Blackmore was able to retire healthy despite her many injuries, calling time on her career last May. And speaking on what life has been like since retiring almost a year ago, Blackmore admitted: “I am missing it, it’s very different.“As a jockey, racing consumes your life and it’s a wonderful consumption. I loved racing, I loved being a jockey.“So, it’s been a pretty big adjustment. I’m not sure I’m even fully adjusted yet, I think it’s going to take some time.“You have such a purpose each day as a jockey, that’s your life and that dictates everything else, so it’s been very different.”She has still enjoyed herself, attending Wimbledon, seeing Oasis and getting married to long term partner Brian Hayes.“I have been so fortunate and lucky that I’ve been kept busy with plenty of things,” she added. “So I’m finding my new way now.”Rachael Blackmore was speaking ahead of the Aintree Grand National Festival, play different at the Grand National this year with Betfair.