In November, Betfair launched its one-of-a-kind charity initiative, the ‘Rachael Blackmore - Serial Winners Fund’, to benefit both the Injured Jockeys Fund and Irish Injured Jockeys. The fund currently stands at £205,000 and is expected to reach £250,000 by Grand National Day, Saturday, April 13th, when the fund will draw to a close. This weekly column seeks to shed some light on how jockeys have, and will continue to benefit from, the work the IIJ and the IJF do, and some of the services this contribution will support.

Tell us about an experience where mental strength played a crucial role in overcoming a challenging situation in your career to date.

I had two very nasty falls at two different Cheltenham Festivals a few years ago. I tried my best to stay on the sidelines for as little time as possible, to come back and kick on again.

In my first injury I broke six ribs and punctured a lung. However I managed to get back riding in two weeks, to ride a horse that I fancied.

Then two years ago I fractured my T4 vertebrae and got a concussion. Unfortunately this one had me sidelined for a good while longer.

How do you maintain focus and stay resilient amid all the highs and lows?

It really is a tough game on your mind. Unfortunately the highs are few and far between compared to the lows. Obviously, some jockeys have the privilege to win almost as much as they lose, but for most, their strike-rate is much lower.

The most important thing, in my opinion anyway, is that if you make a mistake, you have to recognise it and try your best to not let it happen again.

What techniques do you use to manage stress and pressure before and during a race?

I always try to get a good night’s sleep before a big day or a big race. Before any race, I get a little bit nervous. This is because I want to do as well as I can in every race I ride in.

I try to embrace the nerves and use it as fuel to perform well. Nerves show you care and I don’t try to suppress them. However, the moment I get up on the horse, all the nerves leave and I focus on the job at hand.

How has the ability to bounce back from disappointments contributed to your overall success as a jockey?

I think every jockey riding has experienced disappointment and if you weren’t able to bounce back from them you’d have to retire. As I said, we do not have as many good days as bad ones; bad days are inevitable.

My father, Adrian, who has always been a great mentor to me, told me that “the man that made no mistakes made nothing.” On the bad days, you have to learn from your mistakes and you’ve got to try not to let the same one happen twice, but you can’t let yourself dwell on them.

Are there specific mental exercises or routines you practice to enhance your mental strength?

I think that a daily routine where I keep busy and stay well-rested enhances my mental strength.

The morning before a race, I prefer to ride out four or five lots before going racing. it makes me feel fitter when I race in the afternoon. It is nice to have the peace of mind that you are as fit as you can be.

As I have gotten older, I have adopted a good working routine which ensures that I am always fit enough to go out and ride to the best of my ability.

I like to get my homework done before going racing to clear my mind.

Can you recall a race where maintaining a positive mindset was pivotal to winning?

Probably my two biggest winners have come in the Connacht Hotel Handicap on the Monday of the Galway Festival. It’s a race I won back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.

In 2020 I rode Princess Zoe for Tony Mullins. Coming into the straight it didn’t look like I was going to win as I had plenty of traffic in front. However, I just kept at the job at hand and got up to win pretty late on. That race showed me how important it is to keep the mindset that you are never fully beaten.

The following year, I rode Coltor for the ‘King of Ballybrit’, Dermot Weld. Dermot has been a massive supporter of mine since the beginning. I even managed to ride my second ever winner for him at the Galway Festival.

Before the Galway Festival in 2021, I had been riding out in France for six weeks. Thankfully, Dermot had faith in me and booked me for the ride. In the race I think I was the first off the bridle. It didn’t look like I had any shot at winning. But I kept calm and kept asking him for all he had, and we managed to get up in the final stride.

How do you handle the weight of expectations, both from yourself and others?

I try to reassure myself that the people that I am riding for are using me as they believe in me and believe in my abilities. If I wasn’t good enough they wouldn’t want me; this gives me the confidence in myself to go out and perform.

I put pressure on myself but I have confidence in my abilities. These trainers want you because you’re good enough to do a job. There will always be pressure but once you remember that you were selected because you are good enough it helps to alleviate it.

Are you a naturally confident person or is that something you have to work hard at?

I would say I am confident in my ability as a rider. I think that my riding portrays confidence.

I’ve always been confident on a horse. It’s easy to be confident when you’re in good form; your energy is communicated to the horse. When you’re not in good form, it’s a lot harder to ride with such confidence.

You have to remember not to try to do anything rash and to keep a positive mindset. Every race requires a fresh positive mindset. I believe that it is important to have confidence in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, owners and trainers won’t either.

Outside racing, I would not be the most confident or brash person. I don’t like to make too much noise. I mind my own business and keep to myself.

What do you do to switch off?

I like to relax at home or meet with friends. Towards the end of last summer I took up golf as a few of my friends are good golfers.

Getting a few lessons or going out with the lads playing golf is a great way to switch off, great craic. Golf has definitely taken up my interest and I wish I played for longer than I have.

For the weeks off I’m hoping to go off with the lads to somewhere with a bit of sun to play some golf.

What message would you give to someone who is struggling to cope with pressure or disappointment in their professional life?

In any capacity there is always pressure and it’s always important to have good people around you. My Dad was a jockey who’s been through it all and seen it all so he was a great mentor.

It’s so important to keep a positive mindset. When things don’t go right, don’t bring it into the weigh room the next day. Stay resilient - your luck will change.

Keep kicking on and try not to get too down. Good things will happen eventually if you keep a good mindset.

Have you ever availed of support from the Injured Jockeys Fund or Irish Injured Jockeys?

I have, for the two Cheltenham falls I mentioned earlier. They are super organisations who give great help to jockeys. We’re all so grateful.

On the balance of probability we will all use their services at some point, so they really provide a great service. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BETFAIR SERIAL WINNERS