Khadijah Mellah, UK’s first female Muslim jockey, wants to ‘become a role model’ with Glorious Goodwood debut
A London student will become Britain’s first ever female Muslim jockey when she rides at the world famous ‘Glorious Goodwood’ festival on Thursday.
18-year-old Khadijah Mellah from Peckham will ride Haverland in the Magnolia Cup, a women’s only charity race, against the likes of Olympic champion cyclist Victoria Pendleton and model Vogue Williams.
Mellah only sat on a racehorse for the first time in April, having learnt to ride at Brixton’s Ebony Horse Club, and has been based at renowned racing hub Newmarket in recent weeks as her preparation intensifies.
Having balanced her training with her A-Level examinations, ahead of her planned move to university this autumn to study mechanical engineering, Mellah says she hopes to inspire other young Muslim girls.
“It’s crazy to think of my journey over the last couple of months but a big part of my life has been proving people wrong,” she said.
“There are definitely a fair few guys out there who would struggle to do what I am doing and I am thrilled that I am part of shift in social understanding of what women can achieve and what they can be good at.
“There’s quite a stereotype around Muslim girls and them ‘not being able to follow their sporting passions and dreams’.
“I want to be a role model to anyone who wants to do something that they wouldn’t initially believe was in their comfort zone and allow people to follow their aspirations and dreams.”
