Scholarship named after Khadijah Mellah launched for young riders

A scholarship named after Magnolia Cup-winning rider Khadijah Mellah was launched on Thursday to encourage more talented riders from underrepresented communities to break into the racing industry.

The programme is offered by the Riding A Dream Academy, named after the documentary that followed Mellah as she became the first British Muslim woman to ride and win a competitive race in the UK.

Funded by the Racing Foundation, the academy, which will also run a residential week alongside its year-long scholarship, aims to bridge the gap between urban equestrian centres, such as Ebony Horse Club and the Urban Equestrian Academy, and the racing industry.

"Riding at the Ebony Horse Club was a blessing," said Mellah. "I grew up with young girls who had an interest in horses too but dismissed the idea as they didn't think it could happen due to where they lived.

"I had the chance to ride but racing still felt far away from me – I never saw a place for myself in the industry, partly because it was not presented to me as an opportunity. Hopefully the academy can pick up on the work done by the riding clubs and open people's eyes.

Khadijah Mellah with Oli Bell, who co-developed the academyCredit: Great British Racing

"There's no denying there's legwork to be done to make racing more diverse and representative but the conversation has started. My community needs to do some work in allowing young people to try new things and the racing world needs to keep opening its doors.

"People from different backgrounds have different things to offer and it's important for people to be able to relate to someone. The more people get involved in racing, the more comfortable others will feel."

ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell, who co-developed the academy with Great British Racing's Naomi Lawson, believes Mellah and her story can be an inspiration to young people growing up in major cities.

"A lot of things are talked about in racing and it can sometimes be hard to see what is actually being done that people in different communities can see and hear," said Bell. "I'm really proud we've created something that will hopefully have a tangible impact.

"My mum teaches in Catford and when Khadijah and I visited, two young Muslim children bolted over and hugged her – she's been an inspiration for young people growing up in inner-city areas and we want to show that racing is a possibility for them. We all hope children from these places could line up in the Derby one day.

"Racing has a new and unexpected idol in Khadijah and I hope the academy provides a pathway for people inspired by her success."

Bell hopes the academy can be a catalyst for change and believes racing must aspire to become as diverse and representative as possible, dispelling the idea that the sport is solely a rural pursuit.

"I want people to come racing and experience what I feel when I go," added Bell. "Racing has to continue moving with the times and a lot is already being done to create change. If there is a diverse range of people at the races, it will only make others want to get involved."

The scholarship will provide eight riders between the ages of 14-18 with free training at the British Racing School. One of those places will be funded by the Jockey Club and applications close on June 14.

There will also be two residential weeks offered at the British Racing School, which will provide a less-intensive introduction to the sport but will similarly be aimed at teenagers from urban riding academies.

Read more on this . . .

Khadijah Mellah documentary wins Best British Short Film at prestigious awards

'There are no words to describe it' – Khadijah Mellah makes history at Goodwood

Riding A Dream: the sublime story of of Khadijah Mellah's unlikeliest of victories

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