Hijab-wearing jockey to make beginner debut at Goodwood Racecourse

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

Khadijah Mellah, then aged 18, made historical past by profitable the Markel Magnolia Cup in 2019, months after driving a horse for the primary time.

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

“Once I acquired the decision, I fully misplaced my thoughts. That is simply such a lovely option to emerge once more on the racing scene,” she stated.

By collaborating within the Markel Magnolia Cup – an all-female, novice charity occasion – Ms Mellah turned the first British Muslim lady to win a horse race.

Since then, she has helped arrange the Driving A Dream Academy – an initiative to assist younger folks from numerous communities and deprived backgrounds get entangled in horse driving.

“Visibility and seeing it to imagine it’s so necessary, but in addition having a relatable particular person to go to for recommendation makes a large distinction,” she stated.

“Variety can carry a lot pleasure into this sport. There are going to be some youngsters who need this so badly, simply as I do, and actually carry out one of the best in racing.

“It is necessary for me as a task mannequin to maintain pushing to completely different heights and lead by instance and present the youngsters I am instructing that although it is laborious, you may try to do extra.”

The 24-year-old, who has additionally accomplished a mechanical engineering diploma on the College of Brighton, is booked by coach Eve Johnson Houghton to experience Uncle Dick within the Homosexual Kindersley Memorial Novice Riders Handicap on Friday.

Goodwood Racecourse director James Crespi stated Ms Mellah’s win in 2019 was “nothing wanting spectacular”.