Sam Waley-Cohen: Is Victoria Pendleton tough enough for horse racing?
LEADING amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen hopes Victoria Pendleton is mentally tough enough to cope with the pitfalls that come with horse racing.
Double Olympic cycling champion Pendleton has set her sights on competing at next year’s Cheltenham Festival after deciding to try to qualify as an amateur rider.
Pendleton, who is Britain’s most successful female Olympian, has teamed up with bookmakers Betfair to pursue her aim of riding in the 2016 Foxhunter Chase and is working with champion trainer Paul Nicholls and eventing coach Yogi Breisner.
There is a big step up, even from just being a horsey person to racing competitively
Waley-Cohen has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup – the pinnacle of the sport – and has also been placed in a Grand National.
He said: “She has proven already in cycling that she is incredibly dedicated and focused and that will serve her well.
“The big difference, though, is that a horse can think for itself and a bike doesn’t.
“Victoria is very fit and has the natural attributes which will stand her in good stead.
“But there is a big step up, even from just being a horsey person to racing competitively.
“Most of all, you need to be mentally tough enough to take the falls, because there will be plenty.”
