'I've met people I never thought I'd meet'
Magnolia Cup-winning rider Khadijah Mellah, 19, takes our weekly grilling
What’s your abiding memory of the Magnolia Cup and Goodwood?
The whole day was mad. I remember cantering down to the start and it being so quiet and then waiting for the starter to let us go. At the end Charlie Fellowes and Oli Bell were jumping around, which was so funny, but it was only in the winner’s enclosure after the race when everything started sinking in.
What did you and your family think of the film of your racing story Riding A Dream?
They thought it was great and loved it. They thought it was the best possible portrayal of my story, so it was all good.
What did you make of your recent Sunday Times award?
It was absolutely brilliant. The day was great and I got to meet Dina Asher-Smith. I didn’t expect to win [Young Sportswoman of the Year] at all and it was just such a pleasant surprise.
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- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard