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 £175,000 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.

About eight or nine years ago I fell off Martin Brassil’s horse Much Wants More at Kilbeggan and smashed 90% of my teeth. At age 20 being out in public with no teeth wasn’t great, and took some serious mental strength to do so.

To make matters worse it happened on the Friday evening before the Electric Picnic weekend. The morning after, I woke up and headed down to Stradbally for the weekend. This experience helped me to gain a lot of confidence, I was so low when it happened, that when I got it sorted I was more confident than ever before.

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

I have been in this game long enough now and I’ve been through it all. I have learnt to take both highs and lows as they come. My family has nothing to do with horses, including my partner, Sarah. This makes me realise that there’s more to life than riding a horse around a field. The highs are incredible and my family really appreciate them but they see the work that goes on behind the scenes. In terms of the lows, I try to leave them in the car on the way home. I like to remember that tomorrow is a new day and someone else will need you to be at your best.

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

None during a race, I am most comfortable on a horse. I have a plan in my head and take the race as it comes.

Beforehand I like to tell myself I’m not stressed. I think to myself that when a horse is a non-runner I am disappointed, therefore I must really want to do it. It helps me to convince myself that I am excited. Before a race Donagh Meyler and I look through the card together and always ask one another whether we are excited, and we always tell each other that we are.

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

Having good people around me. I am lucky that being from Kildare I have my friends in racing and my friends from school. They think it’s surreal that I’m a professional athlete and are so happy when I get a winner. The lads are always delighted for me and talking to them makes it a whole lot easier to move on and not to dwell on things.

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

I like to carpool with certain people that enjoy similar good music in the car. Especially Jody McGarvey and Mark Walsh as we live near and love the same kind of music. When travelling alone I like to take part in my own private concert, it makes those long drives go much faster.

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

The Kerry National last September. I was doing 10st 6lb, one of my lowest weights and Desertmore House was second reserve, but I was consciously watching my weight all week because I thought he would get in. The moment I found out he was confirmed to run I was confident that he would win. The instructions from Martin were the same as what I had in my mind - from start to finish I was where I wanted to be, I had manifested it. It would have been more of a shock if I lost than if I didn’t.

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

I do my homework and visualise races in my head - I back myself that if things don’t work out how I thought they would I have the ability to win on any horse that is good enough to win. As well as this I remember that I am paid to do this job and I have to give 100%.

In terms of managing expectations of others, if they are using me they clearly approve of me and this helps to boost my confidence. At the end of the day it’s a sport and anything can happen, you just have to take it as it comes.

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

Thankfully I am a confident person, I wouldn’t be too shy to walk into a room full of people I don’t know. Similarly if there was a horse that I think I would ride well, I’d be able to approach the owner or trainer and I wouldn’t have to wait for them to come to me.

I often see that being outgoing and friendly helps those around me and we bounce off one another. As well as this people are not afraid to come to me for advice about anything that troubles them.

What do you do to switch off?

I play a lot of golf, Junior B football, five-a-side and I like to nap a lot. At the moment I play Junior B for Monasterevin and I absolutely love it. It helps to provide an escape from racing. People are interested in it and will ask but it’s not the be all and end all.

My partner, Sarah, is a secondary school teacher, so whenever we get time off we are always away. Last year we did a month in Thailand and it was the best experience of my life. I plan to go back whenever I can.

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

I suppose it is very important to have good people around you. Whenever you can try to find a good support system, and at the end of the day all you can do is control the controllables. It’s critical to not dwell on the past and most importantly to look forward to the future!

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

I have, the time I broke my teeth. It was five or six grand to get them fixed. Without any hesitation the bill was cleared before I had the sentence finished. Andrew Coonan works for the Jockeys Association and provides any advice you’re looking for.

We have John Butler and Gavin Egan as physios and Wayne Middleton as a personal trainer. They are great professionals, know a jockey’s body and what is needed for it. Once you use them they will fully commit to having you in the best shape possible.

In the last few years we are being treated much more like professionals and we are being enabled to perform to our potential more and more, year on year.

I would tell any of the lads you are not alone. Whether it’s mental or physical health or financial advice there is always people there to help you.

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