'˜Terrifying' Kiplingcotes Derby victory for Sam Osborne

Visibly shaken Sam Osborne said her ex-race horse ‘Mr P’ bolted shortly after setting off and she lost control.

“It was the most terrifying thing I have ever done in my life. Being let loose on a horse that’s bolting as fast as it can - I’ve never been so scared,” said Sam.

“It is very tough. I’m not going that again with Mr P - no way,” she added.

Retaining second place on last year was Richard Mumford with his horse ‘Willie’ - his partner Tracey Corrigan stormed to top position at last year’s event, but picked up the wooden spoon this year.

He said: “If you win it’s great but we look forward to it. It’s an old race, it’s a hard course and there’s nothing nice about it. You don’t know what’s going to turn up on the day either.”

The course itself spans a gruelling four and a half mile stretch across rugged tracks and country lanes.

The race’s archaic rules dictate that riders only need turn up on the day and weigh-in by 11am.

At 11.30am the clerk reads the rules and all competitors walk their horses from the finish line to the start, and the race begins at 12am.

The Kiplingcotes Derby is recognised at the oldest horse race in England, and its archaic rules dictate riders only need turn up on the day and weigh-in by 11am. The course spans a gruelling four and a half mile stretch across rugged tracks and country lanes.

Approaching its 500th anniversary,the race remains steeped in tradition and, despite some financial worries over its future, is more popular than ever.​​​​​​​​​​​