RACHAEL BLACKMORE has been hailed as a "true trailblazer" after winning her latest prestigious award on Monday night.
The legendary former jockey was the guest of honour at the Horse Racing Ireland Awards night.
The Tipperary rider, who retired back in May, was awarded the Contribution to the Industry Award as recognition of her iconic career.
HRI Chief Executive Suzanne Eade said: "It is hard to think of someone who made such a profound impact on the sport so quickly.
"A total of 33 Grade 1s throughout her stellar career and 18 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including the pinnacle, the Gold Cup, along with Champion Hurdles and a Champion Chase.
"Most famous of them all, the Grand National at Aintree.
"Many of those moments arrived during Covid and helped brighten the mood of the nation.
"They also caught the imagination as Rachael remains a role model, a true trailblazer."
It is the latest accolade bestowed upon Blackmore since she hung up the saddle.
The Irish trail blazer said: "Cheltenham is an incredibly special place, it's where I've been lucky enough to experience some of the best days of my life and career.
"It's a place that holds so many amazing memories for me, from my very first Festival winner, to unforgettable moments with phenomenal horses like Honeysuckle and A Plus Tard.
"To be inducted into the Hall of Fame here is a huge honour, being recognised alongside so many of the greats of our sport is something that still feels surreal."
Blackmore's record more than justifies her place in the Hall of Fame.
In 2021, she became the first female to ride a Grand National winner, partnering Minella Times to victory at Aintree.
Honeysuckle memorably landed the Champion Hurdle in both 2021 and 2022, with A Plus Tard recording a historic Cheltenham Gold Cup success in 2022.
Guy Lavender, CEO at Cheltenham Racecourse, said: "The Hall of Fame celebrates the very best in Jump Racing and Rachael Blackmore's achievements are on such another level.
"I think it is totally right that she is inducted into it at the first possible opportunity."
The latest landmark comes mere days after she was announced as an ambassador for the Cheltenham Festival.
Blackmore has stepped into ambassadorial duties with the home of the jumps in a bid to encourage more women to attend the races.
She said: "It is going to be a very different experience going racing and not heading for the weighing room, but I'm looking forward to seeing what racedays are like from the other side of the rails and working with the team at Cheltenham.
"I'm interested in meeting racegoers to get a proper understanding of why they attend but also what some of the blockers and barriers might be that are stopping their friends and peers from coming.
"Horseracing is an amazing sport and a day at the races provides so much opportunity for people to socialise with friends and meet new people.
"I'm excited to get involved and see what can be done to engage more women and show them what makes a day at the races such a special and unforgettable experience."