In a landmark moment for British horse racing, Aamilah Aswat has etched her name into the history books by becoming the nation's first female black jump jockey to ride a winner. The 20-year-old from Gloucester achieved this remarkable feat on only her fourth professional ride, marking a significant breakthrough in the sport.
A Dream Realised at Kempton
Aamilah secured her historic victory at Kempton Park Racecourse, guiding the 9-1 chance Guchen to success in a 2m5f handicap hurdle. Trained by the esteemed Grand National-winning stable of Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, Guchen was one of eleven runners in the competitive field.
The young jockey executed a tactically astute ride, keeping her mount in touch with the leaders before making a decisive move with just two hurdles remaining. She held off the challenge of the 6-4 favourite by a length and a quarter to cross the finishing line first.
From Gloucester Farms to Professional Success
Aamilah's journey to this historic moment began in Gloucester, where she first learned to ride at St James's City Farm under the guidance of Imran Atcha. Her early passion for equestrian sports led her to compete in pony races with the Pony Racing Authority, laying the foundation for her professional career.
In 2021-22, she joined the inaugural Riding A Dream Academy scholarship programme, which was established by the Jockey Club following Khadijah Mellah's victory in the 2019 Magnolia Cup. This initiative aims to support young people from diverse ethnic communities in pursuing careers in horse racing.
Building Experience and Confidence
After completing the Foundation Course at the British Racing School, Aamilah joined the Bailey and Nicholls yard, where she has been working for three years. She made her professional debut on Guchen at Kempton in November, finishing fifth in a field of ten runners.
Subsequent rides at Huntingdon and Haydock saw her place eighth and fourth respectively, all aboard the same horse. This consistent performance built toward Monday's breakthrough victory at the same Kempton track where she began her professional journey.
A Message of Inspiration
Speaking after her historic win, Aamilah reflected on her long-held aspirations. "Ever since I was young I was more drawn to Cheltenham and more drawn to the jumps," she said. "Hopefully I can ride as many winners as I can and just get on with it."
She also expressed gratitude for the supportive racing community, noting: "I can just ask the other jockeys for advice and they are all very nice. I am very appreciative of that."
Perhaps most significantly, Aamilah acknowledged the broader impact of her achievement: "It gives others the message that they can do it as well and I'll be following them every step of the way."
A New Chapter in Racing Diversity
This victory represents more than just personal success for Aamilah Aswat. It marks an important milestone in British horse racing's ongoing efforts to become more inclusive and representative of the country's diverse population.
The achievement comes through structured support programmes like the Riding A Dream Academy, demonstrating how targeted initiatives can help break down barriers in traditionally homogeneous sports.
As Aamilah continues her career with the Bailey and Nicholls stable, her historic win serves as both inspiration for aspiring jockeys from diverse backgrounds and evidence of positive change within the racing industry.
