Aamilah Aswat Makes History with First UK Jump Racing Victory

Aamilah Aswat has made history by becoming the first Black British female jump jockey to win a race in the UK, guiding Guchen to victory at Kempton Park Racecourse.

The milestone win marks a defining moment not only in Aswat’s career, but also for representation within British jump racing. Announcing the result, the Riding A Dream Academy described the achievement simply and powerfully: “History made.”

Aswat, who is from Gloucester and of Indian and Jamaican heritage, began riding at St James’s City Farm before progressing through pony racing with the Pony Racing Authority. She later joined the Riding A Dream Academy’s scholarship programme, completed her apprenticeship at the British Racing School, and went on to work in the yard of Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls.

Following the Kempton victory, the Academy paid tribute to her journey, writing:
“We cannot express how proud we are of Aamilah and how grateful we are to everyone who has supported her on her journey. Our first-ever Riding A Dream Academy race winner.”

The response across the racing community was immediate. Academy co-founder Khadijah Mellah described the moment as “HUGE”, while fellow riders and supporters hailed Aswat as a trailblazer whose success reflects both talent and opportunity aligning at the right moment.

For Aswat, the win is the latest step in a career still very much in its early stages — but one that already carries significance far beyond the result itself. Her success stands as a visible reminder of what is possible when access, support, and belief meet ability.

As British racing continues to examine pathways into the sport, Aamilah Aswat’s name will now be permanently linked to a moment that changed what the starting line can look like.