WE have been inundated with fans inspired to verse and song since the exploits of Rachael Blackmore and Minella Times in the Grand National.

Joseph O’Gorman from Kildare, a nephew of John Nallen’s wife, Bernardine has produced a fabulous number When Minella won the Double in 2021, extolling Minella Indo and Minella Times.

Bounty

Huge thanks to Susan Morris stalwart of the Kilmoganny Hunt and great all round equestrian and racing fan. Famous everywhere for the bounty from the back of her jeep where soup, tea, coffee, sandwiches and her incomparable lemon drizzle cake are laid out for everyone in impeccable picnic baskets, Susan has been indefatigable in tracking down song writer Billy Morrissey with his ode to Rachael Blackmore.

Billy from Dualla near Cashel, Tipperary is a song writer and performer who has been on the road for 40 years. Used to organising holiday musical trips abroad for numbers up to 400, it didn’t take him long to put something together in verse in celebration of the stylish victory of Rachael Blackmore in the Grand National.

Pretty excited by the reaction Billy takes up the story: “Due to the huge interest in the poem on social media, (over 900 shares in a couple of days!) and after numerous requests, I decided to put music to the piece and I’m delighted that the new song has just been recorded by the famous Mick Foster of Foster and Allan fame.

“The Ballad of Rachael Blackmore will be released to all radio stations this weekend.

“We have also decided that all proceeds from the sale of this souvenir single will go to the Irish Injured Jockeys fund.’’

Horses, jockeys and all concerned have kept us going in these crazy times – let’s give a bit back!

A Tribute to Rachael Blackmore

From the fields of Tipperary

And the hills of Killenaule

Came famous sporting heroes

Legends one and all.

A new name has been added

To the Jockeys Hall of Fame

The toast of Tipperary

Rachael Blackmore is her name.

Ride on Rachael Blackmore

With honour and with pride

Our nation all stood cheering

As you made that famous ride.

With the mighty Honeysuckle

Our flag you did unfurl

When you rode that horse to victory

And won the Champion Hurdle.

Your deeds will be remembered

In historic Killenaule,

When on the Cotswolds racecourse

The world you did enthrall

No crowd there to cheer you

But you didn’t seem to mind,

Your star shone bright in Cheltenham

As you left the rest behind.

Then she came to Aintree

On that famous April day.

There she rode Minella Times

And blew the field away.

The first girl in its history

She never would give up

Now Aintree’s Grand National

Has a new name on the Cup.

The pride of all Tipperary

The Rose of Slievenamon,

For National Hunt Racing

Rachael Blackmore’s number one.

She made it all look easy

As she crossed that finish line

Another win for Ireland

A legend in her time.

Billy Morrissey © 2021