A Western Australian mine worker has won what is widely considered to be the world's toughest horse race.

Samantha Jones is the first Australian, and only the second woman, to win the 1,000 kilometre Mongol Derby.

Ms Jones rode 28 local horses over eight days, across the middle of Mongolia.

She says it was a life changing experience and well worth the months of preparation.

"I definitely had my times when I found it very tough, but luckily enough my body acclimatised about half way through.

"And yeah, I was ready to go another thousand kilometres!"

Over eight days, Sam Jones rode 28 different horses, many of them still half wild, as indeed was the weather.

"There was a point where I was getting blasted with sand, wind and sleet all at once."