First British Muslim Hijabi Jockey Returns to Goodwood

Six years after her historic victory, Khadijah Mellah is set to make her long-awaited amateur debut, returning to the very track where she first captured the nation's attention. The first British Muslim woman to compete in and win a horse race while wearing a hijab, the 24-year-old jockey will ride in the Gay Kindersley Memorial Amateur Riders Handicap at Goodwood.

Mellah's remarkable journey began at the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, London. Her win in the 2019 Magnolia Cup, a charity race held during the Glorious Goodwood meeting, was documented in the ITV film Riding A Dream. This success led to the creation of the Riding A Dream Academy, an organization co-founded with ITV’s Oli Bell and Naomi Lawson. The academy supports young people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, disadvantaged communities, and urban equestrian centers to get involved in horse racing. To date, some 75% of its students have come from a diverse ethnic background, and several alumni are now working in the sport, with some even on the verge of securing their own jockey licenses.

After her historic win, Mellah continued to pursue her passion for riding while completing a mechanical engineering degree at Brighton University. She gained valuable experience riding out at various stables and was a full-time member of Adam West’s team in Epsom before securing her Category A Amateur license from the British Horseracing Authority.

For her debut, she has been booked to ride the nine-time winner Uncle Dick for trainer Eve Johnson Houghton. Reflecting on her return to Goodwood, Mellah said, “Riding back at Goodwood feels so special—it’s where everything began for me. So much has happened in the last six years, but the thrill of race riding has never left me."

Mellah, who has been working hard to prepare for this moment, also spoke about her desire to be known for her skills. “I have sacrificed so much to progress as a rider and really want to be known for my achievements as an individual, rather than as a ‘hijabi jockey’," she stated. "It’s hard to get rides and I am beyond grateful to Eve who has given me such a huge opportunity and has recognized my efforts. Being an outsider in racing can be really tough but Eve has been so welcoming and supported my progress and I will never forget it.”