Transgender jockey races home in SECOND place riding Roy Rocket in her first race as a woman after more than 250 victories as a man

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A transgender jockey has become the first person in the sport to compete in male and female categories.

Victoria Smith came in second place in the Jockey Club Challenge on her grey gelding Roy Rocket in her first ride as a woman.

The charity race at Warwick Racecourse on Wednesday was won by Evie Brown riding Catchin Time, who shot out to a huge lead for an easy victory.

Transgender jockey Victoria Smith became the first person in the sport to compete in male and female categories

Smith came in second place in the Jockey Club Challenge on her grey gelding Roy Rocket in her first ride as a woman

Smith was in third place on the final straight before mounting a big challenge to storm home and grab second place by a nose.

Wearing yellow silks a green rectangle, Smith posed with the other competitors before and after the one-mile race. 

'It's a big day for me - it's my first ever ride as a woman and it's lovely to be back,' she said minutes after the race.

'My legs were good and I think we were as close as we could be, but the pack just closed up at the last minute.

Smith was in third place on the final straight before mounting a big challenge to storm home and grab second place by a nose

'It's a big day for me - it's my first ever ride as a woman and it's lovely to be back,' she said minutes after the race

'I'm thankful that I've been able to do this and to have this opportunity. While I've done this for me, I hope it can help open things up for many other transgender people,' she said

Smith (back row, third from left) poses after the race with the winner and other jockeys and trainers

'I'm thankful that I've been able to do this and to have this opportunity. While I've done this for me, I hope it can help open things up for many other transgender people.

'I don't see it as making history - it's not like that for me, but I can see how it might seem like that for the outside world. 

'For me it's about making the sport more open for all people and of course raising money for the brilliant charities.'  

The 53-year-old was earlier seen walking the course with other jockeys ahead of the 5.45pm start, dressed in a striped top and tights before getting changed. 

'I don't see it as making history - it's not like that for me, but I can see how it might seem like that for the outside world,' she said

Wearing yellow silks a green rectangle, Smith posed with the other competitors before the one-mile race

The charity race at Warwick Racecourse on Wednesday was won by Evie Brown riding Catchin Time, who shot out to a huge lead for an easy victory 

The former champion racer also chatted to trainers and received a briefing on the course alongside other competitors.

Smith topped more than 250 races when she identified as Vince before becoming a horse trainer, but was now returning to the course.

During her 37-year career, the sports personality secretly hoped to switch gender with recognition from the NHS.

After announcing she was living as a woman in February this year, Victoria will today race at the Jockey Club Challenge.

 Smith arrives at the course and goes for a walk to check out the track before getting changed into race gear

The 53-year-old was seen walking the course with other jockeys ahead of the 5.45pm charity race at Warwick Racecourse on Wednesday

The former champion racer also chatted to trainers as participants milled around by the course before the race

She is just minutes away from saddling up at the Jockey Club Challenge for her first ride as a woman

Smith topped more than 250 races when she identified as Vince before becoming a horse trainer, but was now returning to the course

Smith is seen receiving a briefing on the course alongside other competitors

She told Mirror Online she's looking forward to the charity event at Warwick Racecourse despite the criticism she's received over her career. 

'I received plenty of stick from other jockeys over the years but I gave as good as I got,' the 53-year-old said. 

'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.'

Today Victoria will ride Roy Rocket, a horse that has won six races and is eight years old. 

Smith (4th from right) poses with the other jockeys about to start the race

The jockey's wave before they saddle up and ride in the charity race on Wednesday

Smith and the other riders are briefed by an experienced jockey on the race 

Since going public with her identity, Victoria started training so she'd be fit to compete with her new name. The one-mile races starts at 5.45pm and Victoria says she's aiming for first place.  

'I rode 250 winners as a man - and now I'll win as a woman,' she said. But the racer added that the most important thing was for her to be able to ride at least once as a female. 

Since going public that she was living as a woman, Victoria has received messages of solidarity from racing stars including from champion jockey Richard Dunwoody and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Graham Bradley. 

Vince Smith (pictured) rode more than 250 winners during a 37-year career comprised of both racing and training 

Vince Smith (pictured with a partner) changed her name to Victoria in January 2017 and began hormone therapy 

Victoria Smith will today become the first jockey to have competed as both male and female

When she went public last month, she had already been living as a woman for more than a year after starting to take hormones and having electrolysis to remove her facial hair in January 2017.

Victoria hopes to attain a Gender Recognition Certificate from the NHS, for which candidates must live as the gender with which they identify for two years.

In February she told the Mirror that she is worried at the prospect of sex change surgery and said she is unsure about undergoing it. 

The jockey today becomes the first to race as both a man and a woman at a charity event in Warwick