Former Olympic, European and Commonwealth cycling champion Victoria Pendleton, stormed to victory aboard Lawney Hill trained Royal Etiquette in the Countryside Alliance Race for Repeal, a charity day held at Newmarket’s Adnams July Course.
The flat charity race, which saw seven riders take part, opened the Newmarket Countryside Race Day, and saw sponsors for those riders involved go to The Countryside Alliance Foundation charities.
The charities the foundation administers include: Casting for Recovery – offering fly fishing retreats to ladies who have, or are recovering from, breast cancer, Fishing 4 Schools, which offers short educational angling courses to children and Falconry For Schools, which brings the world of the falconer into the classroom.
Pendleton sped to victory on Royal Etiquette, the horse who won the very same charity race the year previous.
“I felt a little pressure as he was the reigning champion, but I spoke to the jockey in the paddock and he said ‘stick on the rail and just after two out push him,” said Victoria.
“It was only a charity race, but I will take that. It was really good fun and I was glad I have been able to do something post-Cheltenham.”
