Machibet777 BetQueen of Cheltenham Rachael Blackmore makes history to become first female winner of Gold Cup on A Plus Tard | The Sun - Machibet Live

RACHAEL BLACKMORE showed she is the undisputed Queen of Cheltenham by becoming the first woman ever to win the Gold Cup.

The superstar Irish jockey, 32, left her rivals miles behind on 3-1 favourite A Plus Tard - with Sir Alex Ferguson's horse coming third.

Blackmore celebrates after becoming the first woman to win the Gold CupCredit: Getty

Blackmore plants a kiss on the Gold Cup after making more history at Cheltenham FestivalCredit: AFP

The Irish jockey made up for 12 months ago when she finished second - after giving up the ride on the eventual winnerCredit: Reuters

Blackmore rode 3-1 favourite A Plus Tard to victory in the Gold CupCredit: Reuters

It continues Blackmore's fairytale rise from this event last year, when she infamously gave up the ride on winner Minella Indo.

She got revenge this time though, surging clear on the Henry de Bromhead-trained chaser to win by 15 lengths.

And it marks more history nearly a year on from her becoming the first woman to win the Grand National.

Minella Indo finished second at 7-1, while Fergie could at least celebrate a big pay cheque for just over £66,000 after the horse he co-owns, Protektorat, came third at 10-1.

Blackmore, who had to hitch a ride to Cheltenham on her first visit because she couldn't afford a taxi, said: "I don't know what to say, I just can't believe it."

It was at this meeting last year that Blackmore, the 'reluctant' icon of racing, truly announced herself on the world stage.

She became the first woman to be crowned top jockey.

The Aintree victory on Minella Times capped off a remarkable rise - and it shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.

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And after her latest career-defining win, she added: "I am so lucky to get to ride all these horses. You can't do it without these horses.

"Being attached to Henry's yard is unbelievable. I don't know what to say.

"I wouldn't swap the Grand National for anything but this is the Gold Cup.

"I wish I had something better to say but I just can't! I can't explain how lucky I feel.

'I CANNOT BELIEVE I'M THIS LUCKY'

"It's phenomenal. I cannot believe I am this lucky.

"I never even dreamed I could be doing this, but I am.

"What I am doing now - I never let myself dream of this because I never thought it would be possible.

"Now I will milk it!

A few scary falls earlier in the week almost scuppered Blackmore's plans of being able to race at all.

One particularly crashing tumble came on Journey With Me in the Ballymore on Wednesday, but fortunately she and the horse were OK.

The tables turned yesterday when Blackmore was a 999-1 winner on Bob Olinger - but only after runaway leader Galopin Des Champs fell at the last.

Blackmore got to celebrate her big moment in front of crowds 12 months after the event was held behind closed doorsCredit: AFP

Blackmore shares a hug with De Bromhead after they conquered the racing world once againCredit: Reuters

And that bit of fortune looked to pave the way for her history-making ride in the Gold Cup, which netted connections a whopping £351,687.50.

Blackmore's Gold Cup win was also a success for punters after bookies were bashed by a flurry of bets on the favourite.

Coral's David Stevens said: "Rachael Blackmore made history when winning the Grand National - the first female rider to do so - last year, and now she's added a Gold Cup win to her extraordinary CV, to the delight of punters everywhere, who put their faith in her ahead of the big race.

"A Plus Tard was the clear 3-1 favourite to win the race, and as bookies we never really looked like avoiding a hammering, with Rachael coming home 15 lengths clear of her rivals.

"Following earlier wins for Vauban and State Man on the biggest betting day of the Festival, her win ensures we end this year's Cheltenham Festival on a costly note, but the positive publicity for the sport is priceless, so we'll pay out with a smile."