The dual Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Victoria Pendleton confirmed on Thursday that she is keen to ride at next year’s Cheltenham Festival. The amateur rider made the comments after winning a charity race run prior to the Flat meeting on Newmarket’s July course.
“I don’t think I’ll ever ride at Aintree but if I get the opportunity to ride at Cheltenham and have a horse good enough, I will definitely take it up,” she told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
“It’s so exhilarating, I can’t even explain, it’s such a thrill and I just love the company of the horses and how generous and accommodating they can be. “They’re a marvel. A wonder. I’m in love. I’m going to carry on racing and see where it goes,” she added.
The 35-year-old, who finished fifth aboard Pacha Du Polder in the Foxhunter Chase at this year’s Cheltenham Festival in March having previously partnered him to victory over fences at Wincanton, was speaking after cruising to victory on Royal Etiquette.
Content to track the early pace set by Nifty Kier close to the far rail, Pendleton effortlessly moved her mount into the lead around a furlong from home. Once shaken up the Lawney Hill-trained gelding drew right away to cross the line 12 lengths clear of his nearest rival and follow up his victory of 12 months ago.
And @v_pendleton gave her horse a lovely ride! Well done @LawneyHill ace coach pic.twitter.com/e2LQeXQScp
— John Hunt (@HuntyCaller) June 23, 2016
Pendleton said: “I’ve ridden in a couple of point-to-points, but it was nice to come back to the Flat as I started with a couple of rides on the Flat with [Royal Etiquette].
“I rode him at Beverley and Ripon and we had a second which was really exciting. It was just nice to be back without any turns, bends or ditches.”
