KPMG has announced a new partnership with one of Ireland's leading jockeys, Rachael Blackmore. This two-year partnership sees Rachael come on board as a KPMG brand ambassador,  complementing the form’s existing partnership with golf professional Leona Maguire, as they both look to build on their great achievements to date.

Rachael Blackmore had a memorable year in 2021, becoming first female jockey to ride a winner in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, going on to win the Ruby Walsh Trophy for leading jockey, riding an incredible six winning horses during the four-day festival.

Less than a month later, she continued to make history when she became the first female to win the Aintree Grand National, widely regarded as horse racing’s biggest and toughest race.

To round off her incredible sporting year, Rachael claimed the BBC World Sport Star, RTE Sportsperson, Irish Times Sportswoman, Irish Independent Sportsperson, Her Sport Sportswoman and Horse Racing Ireland’s Racing Hero awards.

Rachael’s success has continued with a stellar performance at Cheltenham in March 2022, when she became the first female jockey to win the Gold Cup.

KPMG and women in sportKPMG is a long-term supporter of women’s sport in Ireland and strives to create equality between men and women’s sport in Ireland.

In Association with

Having previously supported the 20x20 campaign, the firm also recently announced a four-year extension to its  partnership with leading Irish golfer, Leona Maguire.

Speaking at the announcement of KPMG’s support for Rachael Blackmore, Managing Partner Seamus Hand said: “Investing in young talented people is at the core of our business, and I know that Rachael will inspire all of us with her dedication and commitment to her sport. We are proud to have Rachael as a KPMG ambassador.”

Commenting on KPMG’s support and commitment to women in sports, Rachael said: “I’m proud to become a KPMG ambassador and I’ve been very impressed with KPMG’s support for women in sport in Ireland, particularly with their involvement in the 20x20 campaign over the last few years. I worked with KPMG at the end of 2021 for the ‘All Wrapped Up’ event, and felt it was a lovely fit, so this announcement is a natural progression for our relationship. Their support will be a fantastic boost for me moving forward in 2022.”

Rachael Blackmore is a native of Killinaule, Co. Tipperary, with an Equine Science degree from the University of Limerick.

Horse racing is one of the few sports where women and men compete on equal terms, and Rachael showed her early promise when guiding Stowaway Pearl to victory as her first winner in Thurles in 2011 as an amateur.

In 2015 Rachael turned professional and since then has rewritten racing’s history books. In 2021, Rachael became the first female jockey to ride a winner in the Champion Hurdle on Honeysuckle at the Cheltenham Festival, where she also became the first female to win the accolade of leading jockey.

A few weeks later, Rachael captured the attention of the world as she rode Minella Times to victory in the Aintree Grand National in front of a global TV audience of millions.

This announcement also enhances KPMG’s commitment to Irish Horse Racing. In addition to their partnership with Rachael, KPMG also sponsors the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at the Irish Champions Weekend which takes place in September.

Find out more www.kpmg.ie

Image: Rachael Blackmore, KPMG brand ambassador, and Seamus Hand, Managing Partner of KPMG in Ireland.