VINCE SMITH rode over 250 winners as a jockey.
But for all his success on the racecourse, it was life off it that was filling him with anguish.
Smith quickly gained a reputation as a hellraiser, celebrating victories with a bevy of beautiful ladies and living, from the outside looking in at least, the high life.
But all along the truth was simmering underneath, until it came out into the open six years ago.
Vince, who is now Victoria and racing's first transgender jockey, said: "I had a reputation for chasing women with the rowdy lads.
"I was very fortunate, I went out with some stunning girls.
"I was in love with them but also envious of how they looked.
"I’d find myself looking at women not because I fancied them but to examine their clothes and make-up.
"During the 80s and 90s, racing was a very masculine sport so the idea of anyone finding out about the real me terrified me.
"It was such a relief when I finally confided in a friend because I had lived with this secret inside since the age of five.
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"It felt as if I had been in prison that whole time and then suddenly released."
Smith, who opened up on her journey to Sky Sports Racing, rode as a transgender jockey for the first time in May 2018 and finished second.
More importantly she said she felt accepted by the racing community and hoped her story would give others the confidence to come out.
She also said competing in that race on fan-favourite horse Roy Rocket against jockeys she used to ride against – but this time as Victoria – was 'like having two lives'.
Smith, who is in her fifties, was inspired to transition by the likes of Caitlyn Jenner and Kellie Maloney.
She spent £7,500 on surgery – £4,500 on lower eyelid surgery and a further £3,000 on breast augmentation.
Speaking of the inner battle she had to come out, Smith said: "I lost a couple of friends along the way and I thought to myself 'if I don’t do this, I’ll die unhappy'.
"There’s still a long way to go but I’m as happy as hell.
"It used to be confusing – why did I feel female, but was in a male body and fancied females?
"It’s a little bit difficult to understand myself so I can understand it’s tricky for others.
"Now I guess that makes me a lesbian!"
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Sun Racing told you how Smith also dreamed of going on Strictly.
That might not happen – but hopefully her acceptance in the racing world has her dancing with joy anyway.
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