Magnolia Cup star: 'I'd be over the moon to get more black women into the sport'

Ashleigh Wicheard, who won the charity race at Glorious Goodwood on Thursday, hopes her actions before and during the race can help promote the sport to more black women.

Wicheard, who travels horses for Wiltshire trainer Neil Mulholland, was successful on Dark Shot, and took the knee – an action in support of the Black Lives Matter movement – prior to the 5½f event, which is known as the Markel Magnolia Cup.

The 36-year-old, who became interested in racing thanks to an aunt who used to work for the Elite ownership group, had spells in and out of the industry before committing to it, and now trying to better it.

"In all honesty, I wasn't sure if I would go back into racing but I took a few years out, got some qualifications, and then realised it was what I had to do," she said.

The Magnolia Cup riders - including Ashleigh Wicheard - take the knee before the raceCredit: Focus On Racing

"With the George Floyd murder and the lack of diversity in racing, in order to help change the narrative, I knew it was the right time to get back into the game and be that black girl regularly seen in the paddock.

"If I can act as a role model for black women and get more of them into the sport, then I’ll be over the moon. It’s not going to happen overnight and I’m fully aware of that, but I’d like to think me taking the knee will make more people aware and improve things as a result."

Wicheard, whose fitness levels include the ability to hold a four-minute plank, was joined by her 11 fellow riders in taking the knee.

She added: "Promoting diversity in racing is my purpose and hopefully the decision I’ve made to take the knee demonstrates that.

"Riding in the Magnolia Cup and taking the knee are opportunities for racing to get behind this. I’m really confident there will continue to be diversity in this sport, and I just want things to progress and for the sport to be as equal as it possibly can be.

"I’ve been very lucky and fortunate to have received the opportunities that I have. I work for an amazing team at Neil’s and I want more black women like myself to be able to follow in my footsteps. There’s no doubt that the sport still has a long way to go in terms of diversity and equality, but there have been definite forward steps and I just want to keep it going."

Trained by Scott Dixon, Dark Shot is due to run in Saturday's Coral Stewards' Sprint Handicap at the track.

"That was an absolute thrill," Wicheard said. "I’ve been thinking the race over in my head for so long and this was the dream outcome. I don’t think it’s quite hit me yet.

"My instructions were to get a really good start, hope for the best and try to keep on pushing, and that’s exactly what I did."

Read more on diversity in racing:

First students of the Khadijah Mellah Scholarship celebrate graduation

All In The Race campaign launches with mission to 'unite everyone in the sport'

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