Riding a dream continues
We are so excited to read the news that our inspirational alumna, and proud bursary recipient, Khadijah Mellah, is going to have a film made about her directed by Top Boy star Ashley Walters!
In August 2019, Khadijah’s cohort of Year 13 were not only celebrating their A Level results in school, but her groundbreaking success at the Markel Magnolia Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival. At just 18, Khadijah’s victory over a field of experienced jockeys, including Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton, was a delight to watch. Embodying our ‘Fear Nothing’ motto, she became the first British Muslim woman to compete and win such a race, laying the foundations for more to follow in her footsteps. For us, she is remembered as a smiling face, always involved in school life – from rowing and trips to no.10 to receiving an award at Prize Giving for Service to the Community.
We have watched on proudly since those first days when being in the spotlight was entirely new, to now when her legacy inspires young jockeys through her Riding A Dream Academy, and now – post-Mechanical Engineering degree, she is consulting on a movie about her story. What a journey – and we know it’s just the beginning!
Khadijah told Brighton University: “I hope my journey shows young girls – especially from Muslim and diverse backgrounds – that their dreams are valid, whether that’s in racing, engineering, or anywhere else. If I can do it, they can too.”
Well done, Khadijah. Keep on doing incredible things; we’ll be right here cheering you on!