Khadijah Mellah, a 24-year-old from Peckham, has made history once again by competing in her amateur debut at Goodwood Racecourse. Mellah, who first gained attention in 2019 as the first hijab-wearing jockey to win a horse race in Britain, continues to break barriers in the sport.

A Historic Debut

On Friday, Mellah participated in the Gay Kindersley Memorial Amateur Riders Handicap race, riding the horse Uncle Dick. She finished sixth in the race, but her presence was a significant milestone. Reflecting on her experience, Mellah said, "People say it goes by so quickly, but I didn't realise just how quickly. It was a massive buzz, a massive thrill."

Inspiring the Next Generation

Mellah's journey began in 2019 when she won the Markel Magnolia Cup, an all-female, novice charity event, just months after riding a horse for the first time. Since then, she has co-founded the Riding A Dream Academy, an initiative aimed at helping young people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds get involved in horse riding.

A Message of Hope

Mellah hopes her achievements will inspire others. "I hope that this is a statement that outsiders and people from different backgrounds can really push to continue to progress and exceed expectations, and hopefully ride more winners," she said. "This is hopefully the first ride of many."

Overwhelming Support

The young jockey has been overwhelmed by the support she has received. "I have been overwhelmed with so much love and support," Mellah added. "I have a really great circle around me; it's taken a literal army to get me here. Onto the next one [race]."

Khadijah Mellah's story is not just about horse racing; it's about breaking stereotypes and paving the way for future generations. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of diversity in sports.