Blackmore sidelined with neck injury after fall

Pioneering jockey Rachael Blackmore faces a spell connected nan sidelines aft injuring her cervix successful a fall.

Blackmore, nan first female rider to win nan Grand National, was injured astatine Downpatrick connected Friday.

"Rachael Blackmore has sustained a cervix wounded and will not thrust successful nan coming weeks, while she undergoes rehabilitation for her injury," said Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board spokesperson Niall Cronin.

An nonstop test aliases timeframe for her return has not been given.

The 35-year-old was injured erstwhile parting institution pinch her equine Hand Over Fist, trained by Denis Howard, successful a handicap chase.

Blackmore was voted BBC Sports Personality's World Sport Star of nan Year for 2021 aft winning nan National astatine Aintree connected Minella Times.

She was besides nan first female to beryllium starring jockey astatine nan Cheltenham Festival, wherever she won nan Gold Cup nan pursuing twelvemonth connected A Plus Tard.

Blackmore had been tied astatine nan apical of of nan Irish jump jockeys' title earlier her injury, pinch 23 winners alongside Keith Donoghue and Sam Ewing.