What is precious to you, for one reason or another? What object would you never want to lose? Our treasured possessions are often an expression, sometimes an extension, of our very selves. AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity, has been working on a series of stories of famous people and their special possessions. From Colin Farrell to Sebastian Barry to Anna May McHugh, (and many more) everyone AsIAm invited to participate entered into the project with gusto, and THE GLOSS is proud to partner with AsIAm and bring you a story a month …
Rachael Blackmore has rewritten racing’s history books on a number of occasions throughout her career. She is the first female jockey to win a range of accolades at the infamous Cheltenham Festival, including Leading Jockey in 2021, the Champion Hurdle twice, the Champion Chase and one of the most coveted races in National Hunt; The Gold Cup on A Plus Tard. Not only that, she also became the first female ever to win what is widely regarded as horse racing’s biggest and toughest race, the Aintree Grand National. With 40 riders and 30 fences in the race, Rachael captured the attention of the world as she rode Minella Times home to victory in 2021 in front of an estimated TV audience of over 600 million, broadcast all over the world.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup
“Every March, one jockey sitting in the weigh room at Cheltenham gets to pack this small, unassuming Gold Cup into their bag on the Friday evening when The Festival comes to an end. I was lucky enough to be that person in 2022 when A Plus Tard, in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud and trained by Henry de Bromhead, won The Cheltenham Gold Cup. It’s the most prestigious race in jump racing, the one everyone in the industry strives to win.
When I was 19 years old, I remember being in the living room of a retired jockey’s home. I looked in awe at his Gold Cup in pole position in his display cabinet. At this early stage of my aspirations to be a jockey, riding at the Cheltenham Festival was a dream I couldn’t even rationalise having, let alone riding in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and as for actually wining it…!
I love how its shape and size haven’t changed over the years, I love how visibly the same cup is resident in a select few homes across the country, I love how I’m now one of those homes. It’s special.”
AsIAm, founded by Adam Harris in 2014, has a vision for Ireland as a place where every Autistic person is accepted “as they are” – equal, valued and respected. AsIAm provides community support through advice, advocacy, support and special interest groups for children and adults with autism. AsIAm provides training programmes in autism awareness and inclusion, and supports businesses to successfully recruit and employ autistic candidates. The charity operates an information line (0818 234 234) and provides support via instant messaging and email (support@asIam.ie).
To find out more: www.asiam.ie
To donate: www.asiam.ie/support-our-work/donate/