STEALING thunder from Willie Mullins and Co at Leopardstown, punters were treated to history at Kempton when the first black British female jump jockey won a UK race.
Aamilah Aswat, 20, already became the first black British female National Hunt jockey to compete in Britain last November.
But Aswat, on her fourth career ride, went one better at on Monday when she crossed the line first on 9-1 chance Guchen in a handicap hurdle.
Beaming, she said: “The message I hopefully give out to other people is that if you want to do it, you definitely can and I will be following you every step of the way.
“It just feels amazing to get a winner and so soon as well.
“Guchen jumped really well and I was so happy with him.
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“It has been rocky, but I have stuck with it and it has been so rewarding. Hopefully, there will be many more winners.
“Ever since I was young, I was more drawn to jump racing and Cheltenham.
“My dream is to ride as many winners as I can, and to just get on with it.
“Riding against professional jockeys helps to really build up my confidence and you can ask them for advice – they are all very nice and I’m very appreciative.
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Trained by Grand National-winning handler Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, Guchen, placed fifth out of ten with Aswat back in November.
But, on Monday, the six-year-old grey was kept up to his task from the outset and made the decisive move two from home.
Victory was a first for the owners Friends Of Ebony Horse Club too and secured them a cheque for £5,000.
Explaining what the big moment was like, Aswat said: “He gave me a great feeling all the way round and always felt like he had plenty left.”
Sponsored by The Jockey Club, the young jockey graduated from the Riding A Dream Academy scholarship programme in 2021-22.
Aswat then began pony racing before working with joint-trainers Bailey and Nicholls in Gloucestershire more than three years ago.
The academy can now claim their first student to win a race and have spoken on of how proud they are of Aswat.
Naomi Lawson, co-founder of the Riding A Dream Academy, said: “She has always been a stand-out talent and we are so pleased that all her hard work has paid off.”
Aswat has held her jockey licence from autumn 2025 since attending the British Racing School.
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