Victoria Pendleton finishes eighth on horse racing debut
Double Olympic gold medallist "thrilled" with her first race as a jockey after swapping the track for the paddock

Victoria Pendleton has made her competitive horse racing debut after turning out at Newbury on Thursday night (July 2).
Four months after first announcing her intention to switch her bike for a horse, the double Olympic champion rode Mighty Mambo to a creditable eighth place out of 11 runners in the George Frewer Charity Race.
But Pendleton, whose aim is to compete in the Foxhunters Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next year, admitted afterwards that she still has a lot to learn.
"Being part of this race gave me a huge thrill," she said on the website of backers Betfair.
>>>Victoria Pendleton: I’m back on my bike and now I can just enjoy it
"That said, I'm actually slightly cross with myself in the way I started the race. Mighty Mambo finished really strongly and had I been closer up sooner, you never know where we might have finished.
"Although I've learnt so much already, today has shown me that there's plenty more hard work ahead."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
And the next stage of Pendleton's development promises to be just that - taking a 'Category A Amateur licence' course at the British Racing School.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
FDJ-Suez, SD Worx-Protime, Lidl-Trek confirmed for Tour of Britain Women as strong list of teams announced
18 teams set to take part in four-day WorldTour stage race
By Tom Thewlis
-
Cyclists could face life sentences for killing pedestrians if new law passed in England and Wales
Reckless cycling currently carries a maximum two-year jail term
By Tom Thewlis
-
Victoria Pendleton: 'If I overtake a man I will hear a rapid crunching of gears'
The former track cyclist shares an anecdote on the everyday sexism she encounters on the road
By Jonny Long
-
Victoria Pendleton: I'd struggle to earn respect working at British Cycling right now
Former Olympian Victoria Pendleton says she'd love to take on a role in British Cycling but only in a system she felt comfortable with
By Sophie Hurcom
-
Victoria Pendleton rubbishes some of Shane Sutton's claims of support towards her
Victoria Pendleton says Shane Sutton never "held her" in his arms, saying that their relationship deteriorated between the Beijing and London Olympics
By Stuart Clarke
-
Victoria Pendleton to ride at Cheltenham Festival
The former cyclist has been working towards the goal of riding in the Foxhunter Chase, an ambition that will be realised later this month
By Jack Elton-Walters
-
'Victoria Pendleton is a great advert for horse racing'
The owner of the horse Victoria Pendleton hopes to race on at the Cheltenham Festival says she is a great advert for horse racing
By Jack Elton-Walters
-
Victoria Pendleton 'wants stopping before she hurts herself', says former jockey
After Victoria Pendleton was unseated on her first ride around a professional jumps track on Friday, some are calling for her to call off her Cheltenham Festival ambitions
By Stuart Clarke
-
Victoria Pendleton returns to the saddle...as a jockey
Together with bookmakers Betfair, Victoria Pendleton is challenging herself to become a licensed jockey and ride at the Cheltenham Festival
By Stuart Clarke
-
Victoria Pendleton: I'm back on my bike and now I can just enjoy it
Olympic gold medalist Victoria Pendleton tells the London Evening Standard that she's finally able to enjoy being back on two wheels
By Stuart Clarke