Aswat Makes History As First Black Woman To Ride In British Jumps Race

Teenager Aamilah Aswat made history astatine Kempton connected Monday arsenic nan first achromatic female to thrust successful a jumps title successful Britain.

Aswat vanished 5th of 10 aboard nan Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls-trained Guchen successful nan handicap hurdle.

The 19-year-old jockey completed nan inaugural Riding A Dream Academy danasiwa programme successful 2021-22, aft which she competed successful nan Magnolia Cup connected nan level astatine Goodwood this twelvemonth - pursuing a spell astatine nan British Racing School.

"I can't judge that my dream to title has yet travel true," said Aswat, who is based astatine nan Bailey and Nicholls gait successful Gloucestershire.

"I couldn't inquire for a amended equine - Guchen gave maine specified a awesome emotion and I will retrieve this time forever.

"I conscionable wanted to get information safely and repay nan spot that Kim and Mat person had successful me.

"I americium really proud to beryllium nan first achromatic British female jump jockey. When I was increasing up I looked up to Khadijah Mellah and I dream that now different young group will look up to maine arsenic good and cognize that they tin besides scope their dreams."

Mellah became nan first British Muslim female to triumph a equine title successful Britain erstwhile victorious successful nan 2019 Magnolia Cup, and co-founded nan academy.

"I person watched Aamilah advancement complete nan years and I could not beryllium much excited and proud to spot her title today," said Mellah.

"Visibility is truthful important and I americium excited for her to person nan opportunity to show her talent and difficult work."

Fellow academy co-founder Naomi Lawson said nan organisation was aiming to "ensure that young group from divers taste communities person nan chance to radiance successful nan sport".

She added: "Only astir 2-3% of licensed jockeys travel from these communities, acold beneath nan nationalist average, truthful we dream that Aamilah is nan first of galore to travel done nan ranks and succeed."