Aamilah Aswat made history in Kempton on Monday as the first black woman ever to compete in a jumps race in Britain.
Aswat was aboard the Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls-trained Guchen in the JCB Handicap Hurdle and finished fifth of 10.
This achievement follows Aswat’s completion of the Riding A Dream Academy’s first scholarship program in 2021-2022, following which she competed in the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood this year following a spell at the British Racing School. She has been at Bailey and Nicholls’ yard ever since.
“I can’t believe that my dream of racing has finally come true. I couldn’t ask for a better horse. Guchen gave me such an amazing feeling and I will remember this day forever,” she said after the race.
“I just wanted to get by safely and repay the trust Kim and Mat had in me. I am so grateful to them and the owners, the Friends of Ebony Horse Club, for giving me this opportunity.
“I am very proud to be the first black British female jump jockey. Growing up I looked up to Khadijah (Mellah, 2019 Magnolia Cup winner) and I hope now other young people will look up to me and know they too can achieve their dreams.”
Mellah, one of the co-founders of Riding A Dream Academy, said: “I have seen Aamilah progress over the years and I couldn’t be more excited and proud to see her racing today.
“She is a brilliant role model for the other students at Riding A Dream Academy. Visibility is so important and I am pleased she is being given the opportunity to showcase her talent and hard work.
“A huge thank you to Kim Bailey, Mat Nicholls and their team and also the Friends of Ebony for facilitating this huge day. It is a privilege to support the next generation and Aamilah is the future of talent in horse racing.”
#Aamilah #Aswat #history #Kempton #Races