Khadijah Mellah documentary wins best British Short Film award

News | 28th July 2020

Riding A Dream, the documentary that followed the inspirational story of Khadijah Mellah, who became the first British Muslim woman to ride in and win a horse race in the UK, has been named the Best British Short Film at the prestigious British Documentary Film Festival.

Khadijah Mellah’s journey in the documentary started from the charity Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, to learning to ride a racehorse in just three months and triumphing in the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood racecourse against riders that included Olympian Victoria Pendleton and TV star Vogue Williams.

Riding A Dream prevailed in a category that included 17 other films and viewers will have a chance to watch the documentary again next Saturday 1st August at 12.50pm on ITV, when it is shown once more to mark the anniversary of Khadijah’s 2019 landmark win.

Khadijah Mellah on winning the award

Khadijah said, “I am incredibly proud that Riding A Dream has won Best British Short Film.”

“Winning the Magnolia Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival was a whirlwind experience and something that has changed my life immensely.”

“At the time, I was looking up to role models to help inspire me and get me through the gruelling training. So it was incredible to then receive messages from young women and girls in particular, saying that I had inspired them to do something out of their comfort zone.”

“My hope is that my experiences will encourage more people to get involved in racing.”

Khadijah family and fiends at Goodwood
Family and Friends of Khadijah Mellah at the 2019 Magnolia Cup

Oli Bell on winning the award

Oli Bell, Producer of the film and ITV Racing presenter said, “The Riding A Dream team are thrilled to receive this prestigious award. It is recognition to a lot of people’s hard work and testament to what an incredible young woman Khadijah is.”

“We were so lucky to be working with Khadijah who dealt with everything that the filming and the preparation for the race threw at her and I am delighted that her story has been recognised in this way.

“I hope that Khadijah’s success helps to make the sport a more diverse and inclusive one going forwards.”

Riding A Dream is set to air again at 12.50pm on ITV on Saturday 1st August.

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