Hijab-wearing jockey to make amateur debut

Khadijah Mellah became the first hijab-wearing jockey to win a horse race in Britain in 2019

The first hijab-wearing jockey to win a horse race in Britain is to make her amateur debut.

Khadijah Mellah, then aged 18, made history by winning the Markel Magnolia Cup in 2019, months after riding a horse for the first time.

She is to ride in her debut race as an amateur jockey at Goodwood Racecourse on Friday.

"When I got the call, I completely lost my mind. This is just such a beautiful way to emerge again on the racing scene," she said.

Khadijah Mellah made history by winning the Markel Magnolia Cup at Goodwod Racecourse in 2019

By taking part in the Markel Magnolia Cup – an all-female, novice charity event – Ms Mellah became the first British Muslim woman to win a horse race.

Since then, she has helped set up the Riding A Dream Academy – an initiative to help young people from diverse communities and disadvantaged backgrounds get involved in horse riding.

"Visibility and seeing it to believe it is so important, but also having a relatable person to go to for advice makes a massive difference," she said.

"Diversity can bring so much excitement into this sport. There are going to be some kids who want this so badly, just as I do, and really bring out the best in racing.

"It's important for me as a role model to keep pushing to different heights and lead by example and show the kids I'm teaching that even though it's hard, you can try and do more."

Khadijah Mellah, 24, is to ride in her debut race as an amateur jockey at Goodwood Racecourse on Friday

The 24-year-old, who has also completed a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Brighton, is booked by trainer Eve Johnson Houghton to ride Uncle Dick in the Gay Kindersley Memorial Amateur Riders Handicap on Friday.

Goodwood Racecourse director James Crespi said Ms Mellah's win in 2019 was "nothing short of spectacular".

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