A crisp Monday afternoon at Kempton Park witnessed more than just another race result—it marked a watershed moment in British jump racing. Aamilah Aswat, at just 20 years old, galloped into the record books as the first Black professional female jockey to claim victory in a National Hunt race, steering Guchen to a commanding win against seasoned competitors.
The gray gelding, carrying the prestigious silks of Queen Camilla and defying 9-1 odds, responded brilliantly to Aswat’s confident handling. In only her fourth professional ride—all aboard the same horse trained by Kim Bailey and Matt Nicholls—the Gloucester native demonstrated poise beyond her experience level.
A Race Defined by Determination
Aswat maintained position within the leading pair throughout the final circuit, making her decisive move at the penultimate fence. Though an awkward leap at the final obstacle tested her resolve, she kept Guchen focused and repelled a forceful challenge from Grand Conqueror, the 6-4 favorite piloted by veteran rider Conor O’Farrell. The margin of victory: a convincing length and a quarter.
The emotional aftermath found Aswat still processing the magnitude of her achievement. She described the experience as incredibly exciting and unforgettable, noting that four years of dedication working alongside Bailey and Nicholls had culminated in this breakthrough moment. Her hope now centers on building momentum from this initial success.
Strategic Support Behind the Scenes
The victory represents more than individual achievement. Guchen races under the banner of Friends of the Ebony Horse Club, with Queen Camilla serving as patron. Sir Francis Brooke, the King’s representative at Ascot, orchestrated the ownership syndicate specifically to create opportunities for emerging talent from underrepresented communities.
Bailey emphasized the syndicate’s crucial role in launching careers. He noted the near-impossibility of breaking into racing without family connections and praised Brooke’s initiative in assembling committed supporters willing to provide genuine opportunity. The trainer expressed particular satisfaction for Aswat, acknowledging that while she was still processing the victory’s significance, this maiden win would likely facilitate additional riding opportunities.
Brooke, who placed a wager on his syndicate’s horse, conveyed the collective enthusiasm shared by all members of the ownership group. He highlighted how racing offers numerous pathways for young people across all communities, crediting organizations like the Ebony Horse Club and Riding A Dream for making such opportunities increasingly accessible.
From City Farm to Professional Racing
Aswat‘s journey began at age five at St. James’s City Farm and Riding School in Gloucester, where children of Indian and Jamaican heritage like herself found early exposure to equestrian sport. She progressed from riding the center’s cobs in pony races at Cheltenham to capturing victories at Lingfield aboard faster mounts.
Aswat Sets Sights on Racing’s Ultimate Prize
Her aspirations extend far beyond this breakthrough. Despite weighing 9 stone 4 pounds—light enough for Flat racing—proximity to Cheltenham’s jumping heritage shaped her career path toward National Hunt competition. From her very first pony race, the jumps captured her imagination and ambition.
The Grand National looms as her ultimate objective, a race she has studied obsessively for years. Her vision for recognition centers on ability rather than demographics. She hopes acknowledgment will come from being genuinely skilled rather than defined primarily by her racial background, though she understands the significance her presence brings to the sport.
Historical Context and Previous Milestones
While Aswat achieved a significant first, Paul Hosgood previously broke ground as the first Black jockey winning a jump race under rules. The West Country point-to-point specialist guided Shipwright to a dominant 20-length victory in an amateur riders’ novice chase at Cheltenham in 1989. That particular race featured Olympic gold medalist Mark Todd’s sole competitive ride, aboard a horse trained by Bryony Frost’s grandfather Richard. Hosgood accumulated approximately 70 point-to-point victories throughout his career spanning the early 1980s to mid-1990s.
Aswat’s achievement signals evolving demographics in a traditionally homogeneous sport, suggesting broader cultural shifts within British racing’s professional ranks and inspiring the next generation of diverse riders.
Source: The Telegraph
