"But you just obviously learn to work past that."
Aamilah Aswat is a trailblazer in the world of equestrian sports.
The 20-year-old is the first woman of South Asian heritage to become a jump jockey in Britain and became the first female Black British jump jockey to win a UK horse race.
Aswat achieved the landmark victory at Kempton on February 3, landing a 2m5f handicap hurdle in just her fourth professional ride.
Riding Guchen, trained by Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, she guided the 9-1 shot home in a field of 11.
The breakthrough win came months after Aswat took out her jockey’s licence in Autumn 2025.
Aswat said: “First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me every step of the way and to Kim and Mat and the owners for giving me this opportunity.
“Words can’t express what it feels like to have achieved this win so soon.
“I just feel really happy and hopefully it’s just the beginning for me and there’ll be many more wins to come in my career.”
Born to a Jamaican mother and an Indian father, Aswat grew up in Gloucester.
She has previously spoken about experiencing racism during her childhood.
Aswat told Sky Sports: “It was quite hard for me growing up because you would face quite a lot of racial abuse. But you just obviously learn to work past that.”
Aswat first began riding ponies at the age of five.
Her route into racing came after a friend of her father offered her a ride, sparking a lasting passion.
She learnt to ride at St James’ City Farm and later joined the Riding A Dream Academy.
The academy was established after Khadijah Mellah’s Magnolia Cup victory to support ethnic minority participation in racing.
Mellah is the first British Muslim woman to win a horse race in the UK.
The Magnolia Cup, which is held at Goodwood, is an annual race between 12 women from different backgrounds that raises money for women-focused charities.
In secondary school, Aswat joined the Khadijah Mellah Scholarship, the academy’s flagship programme, which took place at the British Racing School.
It allowed her to develop her knowledge of racing and look after and ride horses.
She explained: “I love bonding with them.
“They’re so therapeutic, without them realising. Waking up every morning knowing that they’ll be there is really nice.”
Naomi Lawson, co-founder of the Riding A Dream Academy, praised Aamilah Aswat’s historic win at Kempton.
She said: “We’re so incredibly proud of Aamilah.
“She has always been a stand-out talent, and we are so pleased that all her hard work has paid off.
“For her to make history today and become the first Riding A Dream Academy student to win a race is incredible and we are so grateful to everyone who has supported her on her journey.”
Aswat’s Kempton success represents a historic moment for British racing and a significant step for diversity in the sport.
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