Victoria Pendleton poised for Ripon first

Victoria Pendleton is set to have her first ride as an amateur jockey on Royal Etiquette at Ripon on Monday.

The dual Olympic gold medallist hopes to partner the eight-year-old, trained by Lawney Hill, in the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders' Handicap over an extended mile and a quarter at the North Yorkshire track's Bank Holiday meeting.

"She's hoping to ride Royal Etiquette on Monday. She's done the two-day course at the British Racing School to get the Flat and jumps licence," said Hill.

"She's hoping to get that and then go up to Ripon on Monday and see how we get on.

"It's a race for novice amateurs who have ridden less than three winners, so she will be against other novice riders.

"That's why it was chosen for her and also it's a Betfair-sponsored race and they are sponsoring her.

"I see no problem why she won't get the licence, unless there's a technical problem I'm not aware of."

Pendleton announced in March she was training to become a jockey, with a long-term aim of competing in the Foxhunter Chase at next year's Cheltenham Festival.

She had her first experience in public in a charity race at Newbury in early July when finishing eighth on the Hill-trained Mighty Mambo.

She has undergone several months of intensive training under a team of experts recruited by Betfair and has been riding out regularly for Hill at her Oxfordshire stables.

The Ripon executive expressed their delight at the news.

"It's very exciting. It's not very often someone can change from one sport to another and we're delighted to hear she's coming to Ripon to ride," said James Hutchinson, managing director and clerk of the course.

"It will put extra publicity on the meeting and may add some to the crowd.

"We are very supportive of what she's doing."

Barry Orr from Betfair said: "Victoria has submitted an application for a Category A amateur riders' licence which is currently under consideration by the BHA."