A teenager from Brixton made his racecourse debut at Plumpton on Monday, riding the Gary and Josh Moore-trained favourite Lumi Plugin in the amateur jockeys' handicap chase. Hezekiah March, 19, finished second in the four-runner race, watched by the Queen, who is president of the Ebony Horse Club and attended the meeting as patron of the sponsor Jamie's Farm.
March is the latest graduate of the Riding A Dream Academy, which supports young people from diverse ethnic communities to pursue careers in racing. He grew up in Brixton and attended Ebony Horse Club before winning a scholarship place with the academy. He then completed an apprenticeship with the British Racing School and joined the Moores' yard near Horsham nearly three years ago, gaining his amateur jockey's licence in 2025.
Earlier this month, 20-year-old Aamilah Aswat became the first British female black jump jockey to ride a winner at Kempton on only her fourth ride. She joined the inaugural academy scholarship programme in 2021-22, which was established after Khadijah Mellah won the Magnolia Cup in 2019.
March said: 'I've been with Gary and Josh for nearly three years now and have worked hard, gained everyone's trust and moved up the ranks. Going to the races and leading up horses and seeing them win is some feeling, but now that I have the chance to actually race myself the revs are up and the adrenaline is off the charts.'
Naomi Lawson, co-founder of the Riding A Dream Academy, said: 'The first time I met Hezekiah he talked about becoming a jockey and so for him to have had such laser focus and have reached his dream is just a huge achievement. He is another trailblazer who shows the importance of having accessible pathways, opportunities and support.'
March produced the 13-8 favourite with every chance at the second last but was beaten into second by Enjoy d'Allen, ridden by Lily Jones.
