A Historic Victory for British Horse Racing
In a landmark moment for British horse racing, Aamilah Aswat has made history 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 a sport that has long sought greater diversity.
A Dream Realised at Kempton
Aswat's historic victory came at Kempton Park racecourse on Monday, where she guided the 9-1 chance Guchen to victory in a 2m5f handicap hurdle. Trained by the renowned 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 perfectly timed ride, keeping her mount in touch with the leaders before making her decisive move with just two hurdles remaining. She held off the 6-4 favourite by a length and a quarter to secure her first professional victory.
"I've been dreaming of this moment for so long, for over ten years, so it feels very surreal for it to actually be coming true," Aswat revealed ahead of her debut ride in November.
From Gloucester Farm to Professional Success
Aamilah Aswat'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.
Her talent was recognised in 2021-22 when she was selected for the inaugural Riding A Dream Academy scholarship programme. This initiative, sponsored by the Jockey Club, was established following Khadijah Mellah's victory in the 2019 Magnolia Cup, with the specific aim of supporting young people from diverse ethnic communities entering horse racing.
Aswat's professional development continued with the completion of the Foundation Course at the British Racing School before she joined the Bailey and Nicholls yard, where she has worked for three years.
Building Momentum in Jump Racing
Prior to her breakthrough victory, Aswat had shown promising form in her initial rides. She made her professional debut in November at Kempton on the same horse, Guchen, finishing fifth in a field of ten. Subsequent rides saw her place eighth at Huntingdon and fourth at Haydock, demonstrating consistent improvement with each outing.
"Ever since I was young I was more drawn to Cheltenham and more drawn to the jumps," Aswat explained after her victory. "Hopefully I can ride as many winners as I can and just get on with it."
A Supportive Racing Community
The young jockey has expressed gratitude for the supportive environment she has found within the racing community. "I can just ask the other jockeys for advice and they are all very nice. I am very appreciative of that," she acknowledged.
Her achievement carries significance beyond personal success, serving as inspiration for others from diverse backgrounds considering careers in horse racing. "It gives others the message that they can do it as well and I'll be following them every step of the way," Aswat emphasised, highlighting the importance of representation in the sport.
This historic victory represents not just a personal milestone for Aamilah Aswat, but a meaningful step forward for diversity in British jump racing, opening doors and setting new precedents in a traditionally homogeneous sport.
