On February 2, Amira Aswat made history by becoming the first black British female jump jockey to win a British horse race. She achieved this milestone riding Goochen, a horse trained by Kim Bailey and Matt Nicholls, securing victory in the Copybet Handicap Hurdle at Kempton. This win marked only her fourth professional race since obtaining her jockey’s license in the fall of 2025.
Amira expressed her gratitude, saying, “Firstly, I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, especially Kim, Matt, and the owners for this incredible opportunity. Words can’t fully capture how thrilled I am to have reached this success so soon. I’m truly happy, and I see this as just the beginning—I hope to rack up many more wins as my career progresses.”
Originally from Gloucester and of Indian and Jamaican heritage, Amira began riding at St James’s City Farm before competing in pony races through the Pony Racing Authority. She was a participant in the Riding a Dream Academy’s inaugural scholarship program for 2021-22, aimed at encouraging young people from diverse ethnic backgrounds to enter horse racing, inspired by Khadijah Merah’s Magnolia Cup victory in 2019 and supported by the Jockey Club. Following this, she completed the British Racing School’s Foundation Course and has since worked at the stables of Grand National-winning trainer Kim Bailey and his training partner Matt Nicholls near Cheltenham.
Naomi Lawson, co-founder of Riding a Dream Academy, praised Amira’s achievement: “We are incredibly proud of Amira. She has always shown exceptional talent, and we are delighted that her dedication has been rewarded. It is historic that she’s the first Riding a Dream Academy graduate to win a race. We are immensely thankful to everyone who has supported her journey.”
This article was first published by Paulick Report on February 2, 2026, in the News section.
Fan Take: Amira Aswat’s groundbreaking win highlights the increasing diversity and inclusivity within horse racing, offering fresh inspiration to aspiring jockeys from all backgrounds. This moment not only celebrates her personal achievement but also signals positive change and growth for the sport’s future.
