Hayley Turner recalls her Derby experience

In June 2012, Hayley Turner became just the second female to ever ride in the Epsom Derby.

A true pioneer for women in racing; Turner was the first female to ride 100 winners in a calendar year, the first UK-based woman to ride an international Grade 1 winner and just the second female ever to enter the winner's enclosure at Royal Ascot.

Turner finished her career with more than 1,000 winners to her name and, although she didn't manage to trouble the judge when she rode Cavaliero in the Epsom Classic in 2012, it speaks to her talent in the saddle that she was entrusted with the ride in the world's most prestigious flat race.

Speaking exclusively to bet365, Turner recalls what it was like competing in the Derby...

Described as the "ultimate test" by winning-most trainer in the race Aidan O'Brien, the challenge that Epsom poses -- specifically on the Derby track -- is like no other.

But, it's not just the unique configuration of the tracks itself that poses challenges, everything is amped up when it comes to a race of this magnitude, especially in Turner's case.

“It probably went to my head a little bit actually because I was the first girl to do it in such a long time," said Turner.

“The media got onto it and it almost became a bigger deal than it actually was.

“As a jockey, I was pretty good at just going with it and remaining quite chilled. It didn’t affect the race at all but I got sucked into it a little bit.

“It’s funny, when you ride a horse in the Derby, the atmosphere is absolutely buzzing!

“You’re cantering down, but it’s downhill slightly, so you’re trying to keep your horse settled. On one side, you’ve got everyone in their best attire and then on the other side you’ve got fairgrounds, barbecues and you can hear them having a rave in the tents!"

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More than 40,000 people attended the 2012 renewal of the Derby, almost double the number that witnessed Lambourn success 13 years later.

The occasion can become too much for three-year-old colts with little experience of the hustle and bustle of a race day, this can also affect the jockeys, who not only have to remain calm under the intense pressure but are also having to navigate an extremely unique track.

The Derby course features a steep ascent to the top of the hill, followed by a sweeping left-hand turn around Tattenham Corner as the horses prepare to enter the straight.

Mainly downhill from there, riders have to ensure that they are not too far back if they are to have a say in the finish.

Speaking on the nature of the course, Turner said: “It’s a difficult track to ride, really difficult.

“You have to deal with the canter down to the start, the atmosphere, the ups, downs and the camber. You have to switch from one side to the other and in top races there, you get absolutely no room from the other jockeys.”

The 247th renewal of the Derby takes place on Saturday 6th June and Benvenuto Cellini is a fancied 9/4 favourite to etch his name into the glittering roll of honour.

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.