Aamilah Aswat Kempton Park winner is a phrase that will now sit proudly in British racing history after the 20-year-old became the first female Black jockey to ride a winner over jumps at the London circuit on Monday afternoon. It was a landmark moment achieved with calm authority rather than fanfare, as Aswat guided Guchen to a decisive success in a handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs.
Riding with assurance beyond her years, Aswat always appeared in control aboard the staying hurdler, allowing her mount to find a smooth rhythm before edging clear after the final obstacle. Guchen responded willingly, stretching on strongly to score by a length and a quarter and deliver a moment that resonated far beyond the finish line.
The victory carried a pleasing sense of symmetry. The same horse had provided Aswat with her first public ride at Kempton Park back in November, when the pair finished fifth in similar company. This time, experience, patience and confidence combined to far greater effect.
After dismounting, Aswat was visibly emotional as she reflected on the breakthrough. She spoke of the confidence Guchen gave her throughout the race and the satisfaction of seeing that belief rewarded so quickly. For a rider whose journey into the professional ranks has not always been straightforward, the win represented validation as much as celebration.
Aamilah Aswat Kempton Park winner marks a milestone moment
Aswat was open about the challenges she has faced along the way, describing her route into jump racing as demanding but deeply fulfilling. Her determination to persevere, she said, has been matched by the support of those around her, from owners and trainers to mentors who have guided her development in the saddle.
She paid particular tribute to her jockey coach, Will Kennedy, crediting him with weeks of detailed work and practical advice that helped sharpen her racecraft. Riding against experienced professionals, Aswat noted, has only strengthened her confidence, offering constant learning opportunities in a competitive environment.
Her attraction to jump racing was formed early. Aswat has long been drawn to the spectacle and stamina of the winter game, with Cheltenham firmly lodged in her ambitions. For now, however, the focus remains simple: ride winners, keep improving, and embrace every chance to progress.
Beyond the result itself, the success carried wider significance. Aswat spoke movingly about the message she hopes her achievement sends to others who may feel the sport is beyond their reach. Her story, she believes, shows that opportunity and perseverance can open doors in even the most traditional corners of racing.
Guchen is owned by Friends of Ebony Horse Club, the Brixton-based inner-city riding school that plays a vital role in widening access to the sport. Aswat herself learned to ride at St James City Farm and Riding School in Gloucester, where she grew up, raised by her British parents of Indian and Jamaican heritage.
Her development was further shaped by completing the inaugural Riding A Dream Academy scholarship programme in 2021–22, before gaining experience in pony racing. She has been attached for more than three years to Gloucestershire-based joint trainers Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, who prepare Guchen and have overseen her steady rise through the ranks.
On a winter afternoon at Kempton Park, Aamilah Aswat did more than win a race. She opened a new chapter, both for herself and for a sport that continues to evolve, one determined ride at a time.
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