Owned by John McManus and trained by Henry de Bromhead, Minella Times was retired, as a 10-year-old, in February 2023, having suffered a setback in his preparation for his third attempt in the Grand National on April 15. However, by that stage, he had already etched his name into the annals of Aintree history by becoming the first Grand National winner to be ridden by a female jockey, namely Rachel Blackmore.
Two years previously, on April 10, 2021, he was sent off at 11/1 fourth-favourite to make history under Blackmore and did so in taking style, making steady headway early on the second circuit, taking the lead turning for home and staying on well on the run-in to beat stable companion Balko Des Flos by six-and-a-half lengths. Reflecting on the latest of a string of historic achievements, the pioneering jockey said, “You need so much to go right and things went right for me today. I feel so incredibly lucky. It is unbelievable, I’m just so thrilled.”
After failing to complete the course on his first two starts of 2021/22, Minella Times returned to Aintree for the 2022 Grand National. Ridden once again by Blackmore, he was sent off at 9/1 third favourite, despite racing off a 15lb higher mark than in 2020, but was brought down at Valentine’s Brook on the first circuit. Eight days after the National, he finished a remote third to Melon in a conditions chase at Cork but on, his return to action in 2022/23, was pulled up, at long odds, over hurdles at Punchestown and in a cross country chase at Cheltenham.
After five non-completions in the final six starts of his career, Minella Times’ retirement was arguably a blessing in disguise. Either way, McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry confirmed the emergence of a shoulder problem, which effectively forced connections to call time on his career. De Bromhead said, “We were hoping to have another crack at the Grand National with Minella Times, but unfortunately he’s suffered a setback, so he’s going to miss the race and we’ve decided to give him a well-earned retirement.