A STUNNING dancer who lives with multiple sclerosis will make history by becoming the first jockey to race with the condition at Goodwood.
Brave Olivia Kimber, 26, is ditching the stage for the saddle when she lines up in the Magnolia Cup at the July festival.
The charity race – contested last year by the likes of Frankie Dettori's daughter Ella – pits 12 women amateur riders against each other to raise money for charity.
For Kimber though, there is another motivation as she knows her condition might limit what she can do in future.
An impressive dancer and teacher, she was diagnosed with MS – dubbed the 'invisible disease' – last year.
The condition can affect the brain and spinal cord and cause lifelong disability.
Not deterred, she signed up right away to take part in the Qatar Goodwood showpiece knowing full well MS could prove a serious hindrance in the gym and on horseback.
In one scary incident she had to be lifted off workout equipment after her muscles seized up completely.
Most read in Horse Racing
TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS 
Our man's 4-1 NAP can carry a light weight to victory at Hamilton
Smash the bookies with these longshots at Chepstow
'I've won a hell of a lot' – Punter lands £26,000 jackpot thanks to Hayley Turner
Horse throws away certain win by smashing into rail with just yards to go
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 GET £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair – Money Back as Cash up to £20 if your first bet loses CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £/€20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet – Bet anything and get £30 in Free Bets –CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Begambleaware.org
Betfair – Max £/€20 refund on first bet. Bet must be placed in first 7 days of account opening. Only deposits made via Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.Org
Paddy Power: Bet £/€20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £/€20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £/€10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £/€10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY,FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY, 5p MINIMUM STAKE, 3 x £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS EXCLUDE VIRTUALS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG
On another occasion when riding earlier this year her leg suddenly went numb as a result of MS-induced nerve damage.
She suddenly lost all her strength.
Against this backdrop it is incredible that she has found the inner strength at least to keep going.
You wouldn't know there have been struggles, though.
One look at her Instagram and Kimber, from Portsmouth, appears to be every inch the professional rider ready to give Hollie Doyle and Rachael Blackmore a run for their money.
Indeed, raising money for charity is the ultimate aim, but even competing in the race – and just maybe winning – is a huge personal goal for Kimber.
And in doing so she will become the first female jockey with MS in history to race-ride.
She told the Telegraph: "I might not be able to physically do this again, so I've got to do it now while I can.
"[Being diagnosed] was a big shock for someone who's completely fit and healthy.
"A lot of people when they do have a diagnoses like this give up because it becomes a bit difficult to push through.
"But I can't give up.
"For me there is a chance my symptoms could potentially disable me in the future."
Kimber already has a foot in the racing game, buying a horse with the money from her dad's inheritance when he sadly passed away.
Graceful Magic has recorded three career wins and lifetime earnings of more than £70,000 on the Flat for trainer Eve Johnson Houghton.
While Kanohi Breeze, a two-year-old filly, shaped with promise on just her second racecourse run when runner-up at Goodwood earlier in June.
She is used to success on the track with the horses she owns.
Now Kimber can get a taste of it all for herself – don't bet against it.
Donate to Olivia Kimber's Just Giving page and check out all the action set to take place at the Qatar Goodwood Festival here.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Source: Read Full Article
