Victoria Pendleton, Briton's double Olympic track cycling champion made her debut as a jockey at Newbury Racecourse in July.
Victoria Pendleton, Briton's double Olympic track cycling champion made her debut as a jockey at Newbury Racecourse in July.
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Track cycling champion Victoria Pendleton has taken up the challenge laid down by UK betting company betfair to train as a amateur jockey with the aim of riding at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016.
Track cycling champion Victoria Pendleton has taken up the challenge laid down by UK betting company betfair to train as a amateur jockey with the aim of riding at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016.
Courtesy of betfair
The 34-year-old Briton has exchanged the razor-sharp seat of a racing bike for the more accommodating expanse of a horse saddle.
The 34-year-old Briton has exchanged the razor-sharp seat of a racing bike for the more accommodating expanse of a horse saddle.
Getty Images (left) Courtesy of betfair (right)
Pendleton only started training in February and took part in her first race at Newbury Racecourse on July 2.
Pendleton only started training in February and took part in her first race at Newbury Racecourse on July 2.
Courtesy of betfair
Pendleton has spent most of her career as the leader of the pack in the velodrome, like here (left) at the 2012 London Olympics where she won a gold medal in the Keirlin.
Pendleton has spent most of her career as the leader of the pack in the velodrome, like here (left) at the 2012 London Olympics where she won a gold medal in the Keirlin.
Bry Lennon/Getty Images/file
Pendleton called time on her cycling career in 2012 after a successful home Olympics for her and the rest of the British Cycling team which won seven of the 10 gold medals on offer.
Pendleton called time on her cycling career in 2012 after a successful home Olympics for her and the rest of the British Cycling team which won seven of the 10 gold medals on offer.
Getty Images
Pendleton shows off her gold medal won in the Keirin competition at the 2012 London Games. The Briton is the most successful British female Olympian ever winning two golds and one silver.
Pendleton shows off her gold medal won in the Keirin competition at the 2012 London Games. The Briton is the most successful British female Olympian ever winning two golds and one silver.
Bryn Lennon/Getty Images/file
Since retiring Pendleton hasn't been short of invites to premieres or media work. Her mix of affability and style has led to numerous appearances on TV and in newspapers and magazines.
Since retiring Pendleton hasn't been short of invites to premieres or media work. Her mix of affability and style has led to numerous appearances on TV and in newspapers and magazines.
Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images/file
Pendleton's ultimate aim as a amateur jockey is to ride in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham next March.
Pendleton's ultimate aim as a amateur jockey is to ride in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham next March.
Courtesy of betfair
Falls and crashes are rare in track cycling but they always look painful! Here, Pendleton takes protective action at the 2012 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. The rough and tumble of the track should prepare her well for any problems she encounters on horseback.
Falls and crashes are rare in track cycling but they always look painful! Here, Pendleton takes protective action at the 2012 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. The rough and tumble of the track should prepare her well for any problems she encounters on horseback.
Mark Dadswell/Getty Images/file
After a solid ride in her first race outing Pendleton can afford a smile of satisfaction.
After a solid ride in her first race outing Pendleton can afford a smile of satisfaction.
Karwai Tang/Getty Images/file