Goodwood star Khadijah Mellah named Young Sportswoman of the Year

Khadijah Mellah was named Young Sportswoman of the Year at a ceremony in London on Thursday in recognition of her groundbreaking Magnolia Cup victory at Goodwood in August.

Mellah, the first woman to ride competitively on a British racecourse in a hijab, became front-page news after successfully guiding the Charlie Fellowes-trained Haverland to victory in the charity race.

After receiving her award at the News UK offices in London Bridge, Mellah said: "I get goosebumps watching all these videos about these other amazing women. It feels unreal to be stood here."

A product of the Ebony Racing Club, Mellah's journey to the Magnolia Cup was charted by ITV Racing's Oli Bell and chronicled in the documentary Riding A Dream.

The evening's top award, The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year, went to sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, who lit up the World Championships in Doha this year when becoming the first British female sprinter to win a gold medal after her victory in the 200m.

Nick Greenslade, deputy sports editor at The Sunday Times, said: "These awards grow more significant with every edition but if ever there was a breakthrough year for women’s sport then it was 2019.

ITV Racing nominated for award

ITV Racing has been nominated for the award of Best Sports Programme at the prestigious Broadcast Awards for its coverage of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival

Receiving particular praise for its Thursday coverage during which 1.4 million viewers tuned in to watch Bryony Frost and Frodon win the Ryanair Chase and Paisley Park ease to victory in the Stayers' Hurdle for owner Andrew Gemmell.

Racing editor Richard Willoughby said: "For ITV Racing to be shortlisted alongside events like the Ashes, the Cricket World Cup and the Six Nations is a wonderful recognition. That Thursday at Cheltenham will live long in the memory of all sports fans, not just those who love racing."

The ceremony will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on February 5.

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