Victoria Pendleton: ‘Man, I love riding horses’

Pictures courtesy of At The Races

Olympian VictoriaPendletonnarrowly missed out on winning her first competitive race as a jockey.

Second by a head

Victoria came second by a head onRoyal Etiquette in the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders’ Handicap at Ripon. She was beaten by 33-1 chance Jordaura over one mile and two furlongs.

The 34-year-old, who retired from cycling in 2012, rode in a charity event at Newbury in July, but this was her first competitive ride since being awarded her amateur jockey’s licence.

‘Biggest rush’

“I was pushing with everything I had and lost my balance a bit on the undulations, which was frustrating, and I ended up just shouting at him to keep him going,” Victoria said, who only started riding six months ago.

“I feel blessed to have had the career I’ve had in cycling, without it I wouldn’t be here, but man, I love riding horses. It’s the biggest rush and so much fun, nothing really compares.”

Victoria’s ultimate goal is to ride in the Foxhunter Chase at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival.