Transgender jockey’s first race as a woman
Victoria eyes victory as she makes racing history
TRANSGENDER jockey Victoria Smith is guaranteed a photo finish today as she becomes the first person to race as a man and a woman.
The 53-year-old rode more than 250 winners during a glittering career as Vince – but throughout 37 years as a jockey and trainer, the star had secretly dreamed of switching gender.
Victoria revealed her transition in March and support flooded in from all the big names in racing.
And this afternoon, she will streak past a roaring grandstand for the first time as a woman in the Jockey Club Challenge, a charity race, at Warwick Racecourse.
Victoria said: “It’s been great to get back in the saddle and I’m obviously hoping to win. I suppose there might be a bit of banter or jokes in the weighing room but that doesn’t bother me.
“I received plenty of stick from other jockeys over the years but I gave as good as I got. Had I been born in a female body, I wouldn’t have had the career I did. But I always knew my true gender, so riding as a woman will complete my life.”
Victoria, of Newmarket, began training to compete under her new name as soon as she went public. She will ride Roy Rocket today, an eight-year-old who has already won six races and placed second at Brighton earlier this month.
Victoria reckons she has a good chance in the one-mile, five-furlong flat race, starting at 5.45pm.
She said: “Warwick is a lucky track for me because I’ve ridden winners over jumps, on the flat and trained winners there.”