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Khadijah Mellah set for amateur debut at Goodwood Racecourse, the scene of her groundbreaking 2019 victory

20th August 2025

Khadijah Mellah is set to ride in her debut race as an amateur jockey on Friday 22 August at Goodwood Racecourse, back where it all began as the first hijab-wearing jockey to win a competitive race in Britain. 

  • Horse Racing

  • Markel Magnolia Cup

  • August Bank Holiday

  • Horseracing

Khadijah Mellah returns to Goodwood for amateur racing debut Ph. by Nicole Hains.jpg

In 2019, the then 18-year-old Mellah became a new hero for women in sport, when she won the Markel Magnolia Cup, aboard the Charlie Fellowes trained Haverland in spectacular style, just months after sitting on a horse for the first time. 

Mellah has been booked by trainer Eve Johnson Houghton to ride in the Gay Kindersley Memorial Amateur Riders Handicap at 5:15pm, aboard Uncle Dick.

Mellah rides out for Johnson Houghton and has worked hard to earn her first ride as an amateur jockey after a year of preparation. She will ride at the West Sussex track on day one of the August Bank Holiday fixture presented by Virgin Bet. 

Starting out at Ebony Riding School in London, the 24-year-old from Peckham has plied her trade since winning the renowned female charity race, completing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Brighton, committing to a three-year racing apprenticeship and becoming a licenced amateur jockey. 

On riding in her first ride under rules, Mellah said: “When I got the call, I completely lost my mind. This is just such a beautiful way to emerge again on the racing scene. Being back at Goodwood Racecourse just after seeing one of my students ride in the Markel Magnolia Cup, I’m so grateful.”

“It’s a privilege to be in this position and I’ve given everything to make sure I can try and get the best outcome. Eve’s (Johnson Houghton) been so brilliant and supportive, she has been so approachable and straightforward and understanding. If I’m going to ride anyone’s horse, especially for my first ride, I’m so glad it’s Eve.

“This is why we need to encourage and nurture women’s development in horseracing. Visibility and seeing it to believe it is so important, but also having a relatable person to go to for advice makes a massive difference.”

James Crespi, Racecourse Director at Goodwood Racecourse, said: “Khadijah Mellah captured global attention in 2019 when she stormed to victory in the Markel Magnolia Cup—just months after first sitting on a horse. At only 18, her win was nothing short of spectacular. We’re delighted to welcome her back to Goodwood this Friday, as she returns to the scene of her triumph for her debut as an amateur jockey.”

Following Mellah’s historic win, the Riding A Dream Academy was set up by the British Racing School, ITV Racing broadcaster Oli Bell and Mellah herself.

The Academy’s aim is to help young people from diverse communities and disadvantaged backgrounds get involved in the sport. Since its inception, two Riding A Dream Academy graduates, Aamilah Aswat and Sienna Anderson, have ridden in the Markel Magnolia Cup. 

Anderson rode in this year’s charity race, finishing in second place behind Markel International’s Sophie Forsyth. The 18-year-old was in the first cohort of students to graduate from the Khadijah Mellah Scholarship in 2022 before completing the Foundation Course at the British Racing School. The teenager, originally from London, now works full-time for Charlie Fellowes Racing in Newmarket – who also provided her with a horse, Al Mudhaffar, for the Markel Magnolia Cup.

 

On Sienna and the Riding A Dream Academy, Mellah added: “She already looks so much better than I ever was. It just shows the quality of the programme we deliver and how much talent and ambition there is within the next generation.

“Diversity can bring so much excitement into this sport. There are going to be some kids who want this so badly, just as I do, and really bring out the best in racing. Sienna rode a brilliant race and pushed a great finish, and that just shows, and it is a taster of what's to come. 

“It’s important for me as a role model to keep pushing to different heights and lead by example and show the kids I’m teaching that even though it’s hard, you can try and do more. I want to try and win under rules.”

Tickets are available for August Bank Holiday racing, the perfect summer holiday outing with the family, with under-18s going free. Book tickets and hospitality at Goodwood.com.

  • Horse Racing

  • Markel Magnolia Cup

  • August Bank Holiday

  • Horseracing