Aamilah Aswat has made history as the first ever Black British female jump jockey to race, when coming fifth in the JCB Handicap Hurdle at Kempton Park on Monday 10th November aboard Guchen for trainers Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls.
Aamilah said, “I can’t believe that my dream to race has finally come true. I couldn’t ask for a better horse – Guchen gave me such a great feeling and I will remember this day forever. I just wanted to get round safely and repay the trust that Kim and Mat have 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 really proud to be the first Black British female jump jockey. When I was growing up I looked up to Khadijah (Mellah) and I hope that now other young people will look up to me as well and know that they can also reach their dreams.”
Khadijah Mellah, one of the co-founders of the Riding A Dream Academy said, “I have watched Aamilah progress over the years and I could not be more excited and proud to see her race today. She is a brilliant role model for the other Riding a Dream Academy students. Visibility is so important and I am excited for her to have the opportunity to display her talent and hard work. Huge thanks 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.”
Naomi Lawson, co-founder of the Academy said, “Representation really matters and what we’re seeking to do at the Riding A Dream Academy is ensure that young people from diverse ethnic communities have the chance to shine in the sport. Only around 2-3% of licensed jockeys come from these communities, far below the national average, so we hope that Aamilah is the first of many to come through the ranks and succeed in the sport. None of these things happen without a huge number of people and we are so grateful to our funders the Racing Foundation, the staff at the Riding A Dream Academy and British Racing School and the team at Kim Bailey’s for making today possible.”
Aamilah grew up in Gloucester and first learned to ride at St James’s City Farm in the city, under the tutelage of Imran Atcha, ahead of competing in pony races in 2017 and 2018 with the Pony Racing Authority. She then joined the inaugural Riding A Dream Academy scholarship programme in 2021-22 (where she was sponsored by The Jockey Club) which was set to support young people from diverse ethnic communities into horse racing after Khadijah Mellah won the Magnolia Cup in 2019. She then went on to complete the Foundation Course at the British Racing School before joining the yard of Grand National winning trainer, Kim Bailey.