After more hype than pretty much any event we can remember in the sport of racing, Victoria Pendleton finally lined up to take part in a race at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Olympic cycling champion was riding Pacha Du Polder in the St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup, the culmination of her journey from the back of a bike to the back of a horse.
And, while she wasn’t quite as comfortable in this type of saddle, she more than did herself justice, coming in fifth in a race won by On The Fringe.
If I was Victoria Pendleton, I would go home tonight and watch that race about 100 times. It is a staggering achievement.
— Tony Hodson (@tonyhodson1) March 18, 2016
Cut from a different cloth that one. Well done @v_pendleton and Pacha Du Polder. ?????
— colin murray (@ColinMurray) March 18, 2016
Wow @v_pendleton what a ride at Cheltenham, I nearly fell of the sofa shouting her home. What a Lady ?? ?
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) March 18, 2016
Fifth is a staggering achievement for Pendleton. That girl's got guts.
— Georgie Bingham (@georgiebingham) March 18, 2016
Miss Victoria Pendleton ….. Take a bow! Great effort.
— Tom O'Ryan (@Ballyhurst) March 18, 2016
@v_pendleton you rock!
— James Cracknell (@jamescracknell) March 18, 2016
Absolutely delighted for Victoria Pendleton …. That was fantastic
What an effort from @v_pendleton … Hopefully shut a few people up. Go girl, utmost respect
— Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) March 18, 2016
All the knockers will be gutted but what a great ride by Victoria Pendleton. Credit to her. Some guts to do what she's done.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) March 18, 2016
Great to be here to see @v_pendleton what a credit to sport! An absolute warrior! #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/zZngaxyLtG
— Mark Sampson (@Mark_Sampson) March 18, 2016
There were, of course, a few jokes.
https://twitter.com/tomj191/status/710862311205027840
Victoria Pendleton finished 5th?
She's the Man United of horse racing.— Ian Hyland (@HylandIan) March 18, 2016
Watching Victoria Pendleton's performance at #Cheltenham like… https://t.co/XlhMwtqhJB
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 18, 2016
But she even won over a few doubters.
We had our doubts but MASSIVE credit to Victoria Pendleton for that ride – Superb effort!
— My Racing Tips (@myracingtips) March 18, 2016
For all the caveats and cynicism, you have to say that is remarkable from @v_pendleton
— tomfordyce (@tomfordyce) March 18, 2016
Congrats to Victoria Pendleton cracking effort there from her. Proved the doubters, me included, wrong
— Alex Valenzuela (@Veeee16) March 18, 2016
Absolutely fantastic from Victoria Pendleton! Proved me and a lot of people wrong, brilliant.
— Harriet (@HattieLFuller) March 18, 2016
In the end though, fifth is fifth.
The winning horse was ridden by another remarkable jockey, Nina Carberry.
What a way to silence the doubters! Congrats to @v_pendleton, but let's not forget that the real star of Foxhunters is Nina Carberry again!
— Jason Brautigam (@DizzyJB) March 18, 2016
Nina Carberry is something else. Brilliant ride
— JPW Racing Tipster (@jpwracingtips) March 18, 2016
Nina Carberry is some jockey!
Nina Carberry top jockey
And for anyone complaining that Pendleton was hogging Carberry’s limelight, here’s what the winning jockey herself had to say about it.
Nina Carberry on Victoria Pendleton: "I'm delighted she got round, it's an UNBELIEVABLE achievement, may she go onwards from here."
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 18, 2016
In the end people were happy to celebrate two inspirational sportswomen.
A fantastic way to round off the meeting. Well done @ninacarberry & @v_pendleton ??
— Hayley Turner (@Hayleyturner123) March 18, 2016
Victoria Pendleton and Nina Carberry are absolute heroines of British Racing @myracingtips amazing from both ladies
— You Know Who (@mental_nigella_) March 18, 2016
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