Muslim teenager makes racing history at Goodwood
Khadijah Mellah created history on Thursday, becoming first Muslim woman to ride in a British race.
LONDON (AFP) - Teenager Khadijah Mellah created history on Thursday, becoming the first Muslim woman to ride in a British race.
Wearing a hijab under her helmet the 18-year-old enjoyed a fairytale debut, steering Haverland to victory in the Magnolia Cup, just three months after first sitting on a racehorse.
"There are no words to describe it. I can t believe it, to be fair," she told RacingTV after being declared the winner of the charity event following a lengthy photo-finish.
"Ambitious women can make it and that is what I want to represent. I ve had so much support and I can t wait to see other stories of other women doing the same and getting into the industry."
Mellah is a seven-year veteran of the Ebony Horse Club, a charity and community riding centre in Brixton in London overlooked by tower blocks on one side and a railway line on the other.
Speaking before writing her name in racing folklore she said: "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."
In September her focus is set to switch from the racecourse to university and a mechanical engineering degree.
