Archive May 12, 2025

The Indian Premier League will resume on Saturday after being suspended because of the hostilities between India and neighbouring Pakistan.

The world’s biggest franchise league was halted for one week on Friday but will recommence following the brokering of a ceasefire last Saturday.

The final was initially due to take place on 25 May and has been pushed back to 3 June, meaning the end of the IPL will clash with England’s white-ball series against West Indies.

At the time of the suspension, 16 fixtures were outstanding. All 16 have been rescheduled, along with the game between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals which was abandoned on Thursday because of floodlight failure in Dharamsala.

Six venues will be used for the new programme – Bengaluru, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL), which was initially moved to the United Arab Emirates and then postponed indefinitely, is also making plans to reschedule its final eight matches.

While players from England and Australia left India when the IPL was suspended, other overseas players and coaches remained. League leaders Gujarat Titans trained over the weekend.

Of the 10 English players taking part in the IPL, eight are centrally contracted to England. It is thought they will be left to take personal decisions on their return to India.

The England and Wales Cricket Board initially agreed to let any players taking part to remain for the entire competition, meaning all-rounder Jacob Bethell is not in the squad for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe.

Now the tournament has been rescheduled, there is yet to be a decision on whether players will be asked to return for the three T20s and one-day internationals against West Indies, which begin on 29 May.

There were seven English players at the PSL, along with a number of coaches. All overseas players and coaches at the PSL have returned home.

Last month, a deadly militant attack killed 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.

As a result, India launched air strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir – triggering days of aerial clashes, artillery duels and, by Saturday morning, accusations from both sides of missile strikes on each other’s airbases.

“I don’t feel male or female right now. I don’t even feel human.”

A memorable line from Rachael Blackmore after she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National when triumphing on Minella Times in 2021.

As she retires from the saddle aged 35, Blackmore can rightly be called a game changer who was among the best of her generation.

In a sport in which male and female riders compete on a level playing field, punters did not focus on whether she was a man or woman. She was just a top jockey.

The self-effacing pioneer went about setting landmarks with a quiet humility as the first woman to:

The daughter of a dairy farmer and a school teacher, she rode ponies as a child near her home in Killenaule, County Tipperary, in the Republic of Ireland.

Blackmore gained a degree in equine science with hopes of becoming a vet but combined her studies with riding out and competing as an amateur.

Her first winner came aboard Stowaway Pearl for John ‘Shark’ Hanlon at Thurles in 2011, and she turned professional four years later.

Much of her success came through an association with trainer Henry de Bromhead, while some of her early opportunities can be attributed to Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary and his Gigginstown House Stud team.

“We identified Rachael early on as a very good jockey – not a female jockey – and we put her on all the Gigginstown Horses with Henry and Joseph [O’Brien],” he said after her National victory.

Instinct, timing, tactical awareness and strength all played a part in her story. But also the ability to bounce back from falls and injury, plus sheer hard graft.

When she rode six winners to be leading jockey at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, she may not have returned to grand fanfare at a meeting held behind closed doors because of Covid-19 restrictions, but the impact was still felt. Her tally was more than the entire British training contingent.

Before Blackmore, and fellow jockeys Lizzie Kelly and Bryony Frost, successes for female jockeys at Cheltenham were a rarity and largely came through amateur riders Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry.

With Walsh, Carberry and Kelly now retired and Frost moving to France after finding opportunities limited since winning a bullying case against fellow jockey Robbie Dunne, it will be interesting to see if other women can rise to the fore in jump racing.

While Blackmore has not outlined the reasons for her retirement, Walsh and Carberry stopped at similar ages.

They ended their careers with winners at Ireland’s showpiece Punchestown Festival and maybe Blackmore intended to do the same, but she unusually ended the recent meeting without a victory.

She suffered a bad neck injury in a fall earlier this season and only returned to action in December after three months out.

Blackmore took success for women to another level, competing for a historic Irish champion jockey title before twice finishing runner-up to Paul Townend.

Her achievements transcended racing. Victory in the National, watched by an estimated 500 million people worldwide, made headlines around the globe, and she was voted World Sport Star at the 2021 BBC Sports Personality awards.

“The support has been incredible. I got such a kick out of being on that list of nominees,” she said.

Those nominees included tennis star Novak Djokovic, boxing great Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and American football quarterback Tom Brady.

Blackmore, whose partner Brian Hayes is also a jockey, did not revel in the limelight – she preferred to get on with the business of riding winners – but spoke thoughtfully when interviewed.

De Bromhead said she was a great support after his 13-year-old son Jack died in a riding accident in September 2022.

The pair’s victory with Honeysuckle in the horse’s swansong in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2023 sparked jubilant and emotional scenes.

Spectators grabbed every vantage point to cheer the winner into the paddock. The roars were for the trainer and horse, but the rider too. Just mention the name ‘Rachael’ at the races, and everyone knew who you meant.

With Honeysuckle in the winner’s enclosure, a rainbow appeared on the horizon.

“We all wish a very special kid could be here today but he’s watching down on us,” said Blackmore.

Her partnership with Honeysuckle was a great match. Seventeen wins from 19 races, including four at the Cheltenham Festival. All with the same jockey on board.

Blackmore will be remembered for a series of firsts, and potentially paving the way for others.

“Ah, look, it’s brilliant, but I won’t be the last. I’m delighted for myself anyway,” she said after winning the National.

“I just hope it shows it doesn’t matter, male or female. Plenty of people have gone before me and done that – Katie Walsh was third here on Seabass. All those things help girls coming along, but I don’t think it’s a major talking point any more.”

When Blackmore won the Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, she earned praise from the Cheltenham Festival’s all-time leading rider Ruby Walsh.

“She’s inspiring kids everywhere. It’s incredible the interest she’s driving in the sport. You need role models like that for the sport and the industry, she’s box office,” he said.

“I don’t feel male or female right now. I don’t even feel human.”

A memorable line from Rachael Blackmore after she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National when triumphing on Minella Times in 2021.

As she retires from the saddle aged 35, Blackmore can rightly be called a game changer who was among the best of her generation.

In a sport in which male and female riders compete on a level playing field, punters did not focus on whether she was a man or woman. She was just a top jockey.

The self-effacing pioneer went about setting landmarks with a quiet humility as the first woman to:

The daughter of a dairy farmer and a school teacher, she rode ponies as a child near her home in Killenaule, County Tipperary, in the Republic of Ireland.

Blackmore gained a degree in equine science with hopes of becoming a vet but combined her studies with riding out and competing as an amateur.

Her first winner came aboard Stowaway Pearl for John ‘Shark’ Hanlon at Thurles in 2011, and she turned professional four years later.

Much of her success came through an association with trainer Henry de Bromhead, while some of her early opportunities can be attributed to Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary and his Gigginstown House Stud team.

“We identified Rachael early on as a very good jockey – not a female jockey – and we put her on all the Gigginstown Horses with Henry and Joseph [O’Brien],” he said after her National victory.

Instinct, timing, tactical awareness and strength all played a part in her story. But also the ability to bounce back from falls and injury, plus sheer hard graft.

When she rode six winners to be leading jockey at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, she may not have returned to grand fanfare at a meeting held behind closed doors because of Covid-19 restrictions, but the impact was still felt. Her tally was more than the entire British training contingent.

Before Blackmore, and fellow jockeys Lizzie Kelly and Bryony Frost, successes for female jockeys at Cheltenham were a rarity and largely came through amateur riders Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry.

With Walsh, Carberry and Kelly now retired and Frost moving to France after finding opportunities limited since winning a bullying case against fellow jockey Robbie Dunne, it will be interesting to see if other women can rise to the fore in jump racing.

While Blackmore has not outlined the reasons for her retirement, Walsh and Carberry stopped at similar ages.

They ended their careers with winners at Ireland’s showpiece Punchestown Festival and maybe Blackmore intended to do the same, but she unusually ended the recent meeting without a victory.

She suffered a bad neck injury in a fall earlier this season and only returned to action in December after three months out.

Blackmore took success for women to another level, competing for a historic Irish champion jockey title before twice finishing runner-up to Paul Townend.

Her achievements transcended racing. Victory in the National, watched by an estimated 500 million people worldwide, made headlines around the globe, and she was voted World Sport Star at the 2021 BBC Sports Personality awards.

“The support has been incredible. I got such a kick out of being on that list of nominees,” she said.

Those nominees included tennis star Novak Djokovic, boxing great Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and American football quarterback Tom Brady.

Blackmore, whose partner Brian Hayes is also a jockey, did not revel in the limelight – she preferred to get on with the business of riding winners – but spoke thoughtfully when interviewed.

De Bromhead said she was a great support after his 13-year-old son Jack died in a riding accident in September 2022.

The pair’s victory with Honeysuckle in the horse’s swansong in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2023 sparked jubilant and emotional scenes.

Spectators grabbed every vantage point to cheer the winner into the paddock. The roars were for the trainer and horse, but the rider too. Just mention the name ‘Rachael’ at the races, and everyone knew who you meant.

With Honeysuckle in the winner’s enclosure, a rainbow appeared on the horizon.

“We all wish a very special kid could be here today but he’s watching down on us,” said Blackmore.

Her partnership with Honeysuckle was a great match. Seventeen wins from 19 races, including four at the Cheltenham Festival. All with the same jockey on board.

Blackmore will be remembered for a series of firsts, and potentially paving the way for others.

“Ah, look, it’s brilliant, but I won’t be the last. I’m delighted for myself anyway,” she said after winning the National.

“I just hope it shows it doesn’t matter, male or female. Plenty of people have gone before me and done that – Katie Walsh was third here on Seabass. All those things help girls coming along, but I don’t think it’s a major talking point any more.”

When Blackmore won the Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, she earned praise from the Cheltenham Festival’s all-time leading rider Ruby Walsh.

“She’s inspiring kids everywhere. It’s incredible the interest she’s driving in the sport. You need role models like that for the sport and the industry, she’s box office,” he said.

“I don’t feel male or female right now. I don’t even feel human.”

A memorable line from Rachael Blackmore after she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National when triumphing on Minella Times in 2021.

As she retires from the saddle aged 35, Blackmore can rightly be called a game changer who was among the best of her generation.

In a sport in which male and female riders compete on a level playing field, punters did not focus on whether she was a man or woman. She was just a top jockey.

The self-effacing pioneer went about setting landmarks with a quiet humility as the first woman to:

The daughter of a dairy farmer and a school teacher, she rode ponies as a child near her home in Killenaule, County Tipperary, in the Republic of Ireland.

Blackmore gained a degree in equine science with hopes of becoming a vet but combined her studies with riding out and competing as an amateur.

Her first winner came aboard Stowaway Pearl for John ‘Shark’ Hanlon at Thurles in 2011, and she turned professional four years later.

Much of her success came through an association with trainer Henry de Bromhead, while some of her early opportunities can be attributed to Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary and his Gigginstown House Stud team.

“We identified Rachael early on as a very good jockey – not a female jockey – and we put her on all the Gigginstown Horses with Henry and Joseph [O’Brien],” he said after her National victory.

Instinct, timing, tactical awareness and strength all played a part in her story. But also the ability to bounce back from falls and injury, plus sheer hard graft.

When she rode six winners to be leading jockey at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, she may not have returned to grand fanfare at a meeting held behind closed doors because of Covid-19 restrictions, but the impact was still felt. Her tally was more than the entire British training contingent.

Before Blackmore, and fellow jockeys Lizzie Kelly and Bryony Frost, successes for female jockeys at Cheltenham were a rarity and largely came through amateur riders Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry.

With Walsh, Carberry and Kelly now retired and Frost moving to France after finding opportunities limited since winning a bullying case against fellow jockey Robbie Dunne, it will be interesting to see if other women can rise to the fore in jump racing.

While Blackmore has not outlined the reasons for her retirement, Walsh and Carberry stopped at similar ages before starting families.

They ended their careers with winners at Ireland’s showpiece Punchestown Festival and maybe Blackmore intended to do the same, but she unusually ended the recent meeting without a victory.

She suffered a bad neck injury in a fall earlier this season and only returned to action in December after three months out.

Blackmore took success for women to another level, competing for a historic Irish champion jockey title before twice finishing runner-up to Paul Townend.

Her achievements transcended racing. Victory in the National, watched by an estimated 500 million people worldwide, made headlines around the globe, and she was voted World Sport Star at the 2021 BBC Sports Personality awards.

“The support has been incredible. I got such a kick out of being on that list of nominees,” she said.

Those nominees included tennis star Novak Djokovic, boxing great Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and American football quarterback Tom Brady.

Blackmore, whose partner Brian Hayes is also a jockey, did not revel in the limelight – she preferred to get on with the business of riding winners – but spoke thoughtfully when interviewed.

De Bromhead said she was a great support after his 13-year-old son Jack died in a riding accident in September 2022.

The pair’s victory with Honeysuckle in the horse’s swansong in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2023 sparked jubilant and emotional scenes.

Spectators grabbed every vantage point to cheer the winner into the paddock. The roars were for the trainer and horse, but the rider too. Just mention the name ‘Rachael’ at the races, and everyone knew who you meant.

With Honeysuckle in the winner’s enclosure, a rainbow appeared on the horizon.

“We all wish a very special kid could be here today but he’s watching down on us,” said Blackmore.

Her partnership with Honeysuckle was a great match. Seventeen wins from 19 races, including four at the Cheltenham Festival. All with the same jockey on board.

Blackmore will be remembered for a series of firsts, and potentially paving the way for others.

“Ah, look, it’s brilliant, but I won’t be the last. I’m delighted for myself anyway,” she said after winning the National.

“I just hope it shows it doesn’t matter, male or female. Plenty of people have gone before me and done that – Katie Walsh was third here on Seabass. All those things help girls coming along, but I don’t think it’s a major talking point any more.”

When Blackmore won the Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, she earned praise from the Cheltenham Festival’s all-time leading rider Ruby Walsh.

“She’s inspiring kids everywhere. It’s incredible the interest she’s driving in the sport. You need role models like that for the sport and the industry, she’s box office,” he said.