Rachael Blackmore shares first photo of adorable baby boy as Irish jockey legend reveals name after giving birth

RACHAEL BLACKMORE has given birth to a bouncing baby boy.

The legendary former Irish jockey revealed the news on Instagram with a photo of the baby alongside revealing his name.

The caption on the post was a simple name reveal, stating: “Bowie Martin Hayes .”

Fans flooded to the comments to offer congratulations to the Tipperary woman and her jockey husband Brian Hayes.

Niamh De Brun, wife of Kilkenny hurling legend TJ Reid, commented: “He’s adorable!  Congratulations .”

Niamh Butler gushed: “Congratulations Rachael!! Bowie is such an amazing name!! Hope you are doing well.”

GAA broadcaster Aisling O’Reilly posted: “Amazing Rachael  Huge congratulations x.”

Doireann Garrihy hailed: “Massive congratulations, what a beautiful baby .”

And RTE star Marie Crowe said: “ Huge congrats.”

The former Grand National winner revealed that she and hubby Brian Hayes were expecting back in February.

But asked back in March whether she felt more nervous for Cheltenham rides or about giving birth, Betfair Ambassador Blackmore said: “I would definitely say riding.”

She added: “The whole giving birth thing I haven’t given an overly massive thought to yet, I think I should probably start doing that in a month or two!”

That reveal came just a month after she and Hayes got married in Cork.

The history-maker shared photos from their nuptials that were taken by two separate wedding photographers.

One photo, take by lifestyle and family photographer Alina O’Mahony shows the two arm-in-arm and smiling ear-to-ear.

And another black-and-white photo of the happy couple was snapped by photographer Laura Curran.

The 36-year-old hung up the saddle in May 2025 but has stuck around horse-racing through various ambassadorial roles.

But speaking to Virgin Media during this year’s Cheltenham Festival, she admitted to occasionally envying jockeys who are still in the game.

She was asked if she felt jealous seeing the current crop of jockeys heading out on the track.

And Blackmore conceded: “Yeah I would. I still miss riding, miss racing. Part of me does (miss it).

“But no, I’m very happy with my decision and I suppose there’s never a good time really to retire.

“I think I made the right decision and it’s great to be back here today as Head of Ladies Day with Cheltenham Racecourse so it’s nice to have a reason and a purpose to be here.”

In 2022 she became the first female to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, one of 18 winners at the Festival.

She also won the Champion Hurdle twice on the brilliant mare Honeysuckle as well as the 2024 Champion Chase on Captain Guinness.