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Lifetime ambitions fulfilled in the Magnolia Cup

22nd July 2022

Just five years ago, O'Meara Rusike first sat on a horse in Zimbabwe, the start of her quest to become a jockey. This year she aims to fulfil a lifetime ambition to ride in the Markel Magnolia Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

  • Goodwood Racecourse

  • Qatar Goodwood Festival

  • Qatar

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Rusike's inspiring story will capture the hearts of many. Born in Zimbabwe, she was adopted at the tender age of twelve years old after the sudden and sad passing of both her parents. Facing adversity beyond her years, her adopted family gave her 'love she never had, a roof over her head and the security of stable upbringing.'

Following her school studies, she worked in a fuel station, and it was at this point that her adopted father discovered an advert in a local newspaper for a work rider at the Zimbabwe Jockey Academy – the rest was history – well, nearly. Torrid financial times forced the academy to close, so Rusike, driven by the prospect of race riding, diverted her attentions to pursue a chance at the South African equivalent, but financial implications curtailed her dreams, halting her career.

Inspired by Michelle Payne, the first female rider to win the Melbourne Cup, nothing could stop her ambition; Rusike wanted to get in on her riding merits, so she spent time practicing and perfecting everything she had learned in just a couple of years. Appealing for a family to take her in, in South Africa via Facebook, she packed her bags and endured a 24-hour bus journey – a complete step into the unknown.

To be able to ride in the Markel Magnolia Cup during the flagship Qatar Goodwood Festival, is a dream come true. I am still pinching myself that this is real. Win, lose or draw, I just am incredibly excited to taking part.

Inspired by Michelle Payne, the first female rider to win the Melbourne Cup, nothing could stop her ambition; Rusike wanted to get in on her riding merits, so she spent time practicing and perfecting everything she had learned in just a couple of years. Appealing for a family to take her in, in South Africa via Facebook, she packed her bags and endured a 24-hour bus journey – a complete step into the unknown.

Riding 20 horses a morning on the track, even the resolution Rusike had proved to this point dwindled and she questioned her aspirations and love for the sport, sighting it as the 'lowest point in her fledgling career'. 

In 2019 the Markel Magnolia Cup captured the eyes of the world when Khadijah Mellah galloped to glory at Goodwood Racecourse. The 18-year-old, Mellah won in spectacular style just months after sitting on a horse for the first time at the Ebony Horse Club, a club that aims to transform young lives through horses in south London's most disadvantaged communities.

These headlines caught Rusike's attention; 'if she could do it, perhaps I could.' Leaving South Africa, she went back to Zimbabwe, where she applied for work-rider jobs around the world; ‘Australia, America, and the UK, I sent out over 50 emails. I wasn't prepared to give up. Two replied, Lanes End Farm in America and Ralph Beckett.'

I have never been so alive. I felt I had failed everyone back at home in Zimbabwe, and this opportunity is the most fabulous thing that has happened to me. I ride five lots a day at Ralph Beckett's, but one of the most rewarding parts is the time I spend with the horses in the stable, this was something I never got to do in South Africa as a trackwork rider

Following her heart, she travelled to England in December 2021 to start work at Ralph Beckett's Kimpton Down Stables near Andover, which is where she now works full time, predominately as a work rider accompanying leading British flat jockeys up the gallops including the likes of Hector Crouch and Rob Hornby.

O'Meara Rusike commented; "Strength doesn't come from what you can do. Strength comes from overcoming the things you thought you couldn't.

"I have often felt homesick in the past, but I don't here. I love learning, and I love the people around me, it's the best feeling in the world."

The end goal would be to take out my apprentice license in the UK, but for now, I am incredibly happy, and to me, that is the most important thing in life

  • Goodwood Racecourse

  • Qatar Goodwood Festival

  • Qatar