Khadijah Mellah Scholarship Launches To Support Talented Young Riders
The Khadijah Mellah Scholarship launches to support talented young riders.
Pioneering jockey, Khadijah Mellah, has become the face behind a brand new scholarship. Built to support young talent in under-represented communities, it hopes built diversity within racing. Khadijah hopes the scholarship, inspired by her historic success, will help “change the narrative” in racing.
Khadijah became the first British Muslim woman to win a horse race. Riding Haverland in the 2019 Magnolia Cup at Goodwood, she was also the first to race in a hijab. The history-making jockey, learnt to ride at Ebony Horse Club in Brixton. The opportunity to race however, completely transformed her life. Khadijah broke down cultural barriers, also inspiring the next generation to get involved with the sport.
The new scholarship is called ‘The Riding A Dream Academy’. Named after an ITV documentary about her racing story, it will welcome its first cohort this summer.
Funded by the Racing Foundation, the Academy has been independently developed by ITV Racing’s, Oli Bell and Great British Racing’s Head of PR, Naomi Lawson. In its pilot year, it will run two programmes for those aged 14-18 years old. One programme will be The Khadijah Mellah Scholarship. The other programme will be a residential week. The British Racing School in Newmarket will deliver both programmes.
The Jockey Club will also fund one Scholarship place for a rider. Staging the world’s greatest racing events, such as Randox Grand National, they were eager to show support. The rider will be from St James City Farm, Gloucester, a club that they have supported now over numerous years.
The Khadijah Mellah Scholarship will see eight talented riders take part in a year-long programme.
Students will spend a week at the British Racing School in Newmarket. Eleven weekend sessions with a mentor will follow. Further work experience will be provided at a top trainer’s yard. They will also take part in pony races and study for a racing industry qualification.
The residential week will act as an introduction to the sport. This week will be available for less experienced riders.
Applications are now open via www.ridingadreamacademy.com (closing date: June 14th 2021).
You can find out more about The Riding A Dream Academy at www.ridingadreamacademy.com. Or email; info@ridingadreamacademy.com
Header Image: @khadijah_mellah Instagram
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