FORMER Chelsea star Marcos Alonso might not be the most famous member of his family for much longer.
That's because his little-known cousin Victoria is making waves in another sport.
A hugely promising jockey with 55 wins to her name, she has been picked to race against Frankie Dettori in Saudi Arabia.
Victoria, 20, will form part of the International Jockeys' Challenge – the undercard to the £16.2million Saudi Cup, the world's richest race.
She comes from a family steeped in sporting history.
Marcos now plays for Barcelona having spent six years at Stamford Bridge, starring for Real Madrid before that.
Victoria's dad Cesar played for Rayo Vallecano before also becoming a jockey and then a trainer.
In all, SIX members of the Alonso family across three generations have played professional football, with three representing Spain.
But Victoria reckons it will be her time to shine when she lines up to race on February 24.
She said: "I am very proud to be continuing my family’s involvement in top-level sport.
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"Not only are most of them professional footballers but they are all big fans of horse racing and proud of me.
"I follow their achievements, as they do mine. All my family are aware of what I do in horse racing and I have their full support.
"Both my parents will be there at The Saudi Cup.
"Riding in the IJC at The Saudi Cup is a dream come true. I really want to savour this great experience riding against the world’s best jockeys and am ready to give it everything that I have.
"The experience is going to be very exciting and totally unique on a professional and personal level, and I hope that it will launch me and give me some great international exposure."
Whatever she goes onto achieve – racing against the likes of model-turned-jockey Chantal Sutherland – fans are delighted Victoria is competing on such a big stage.
One wrote: "Tremendous experience for Victoria. She rides better and better every day and has all my support."
Another said: "Vamos Vicky!"
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