Amid widespread scepticism, Pendleton – who embarked on the challenge of switching saddles and becoming proficient enough on horseback to take part in one of horse racing’s showpiece occasions just a year ago – bided her time towards the rear of a large field in the St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase, before making up ground in the closing stages and crossing the line within striking distance of the winner.

“I think it’s probably one of the greatest achievements of my life,” Pendleton, 35, said afterwards.

“It will rank right up there with being in the Olympic Velodrome.”

Pendleton retired from bike riding after London 2012, having been a key member, along with the likes of Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Bradley Wiggins, of the group which pedalled Great Britain to global dominance first in Beijing and then their home Olympic Games.

She won three Olympic medals in all - gold in the sprint in 2008 and keirin four years’ later, as well as silver in the sprint at London 2012 behind Australia’s Anna Meares, her great rival.

Professional jump jockeys are among the toughest of all athletes, facing up to fractures and occasionally worse as an occupational hazard, while frequently enduring extremely restrictive diets in order to keep their racing weight down.

The episode afforded the sport - which is struggling like so many others to maintain its profile in the face of the relentless march of soccer or association football - with a five-star human interest story as it strives to maximise its appeal to a broader audience.