Khadijah Mellah: The history-making teen & the Brixton club trying to open up racing

“Horse racing has got momentum on the back of this story,” Bell says.

“It may be considered by some to be an elite white sport but there are yards that are incredible multicultural places.

“Khadijah was willing to break boundaries. Things will only happen if people say yes for change to happen.”

The film has been backed by Great British Racing, a promotional arm of the sport that is keen to extend its reach.

According to the Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation, the number of female British Muslim jockeys – past and present – is in “single digits”.

“When I rode out in Newmarket I tried to spot any other women of colour and there was only one in more than 200 riders,” notes Khadijah.

However, jockey Hayley Turner helped mentor her, and Dettori was also on hand to offer advice. The British Horseracing Authority has set up a diversity-in-racing steering group and other inner-city projects have been launched.

At Ebony, the majority of participants are from ethnic minorities.

“You could argue that racing is traditionally a country pursuit, and many of the people involved are white,” says the club’s engagement manager David Fleming.

“I don’t think it’s racing’s fault, but it needs to be a bit more open and inclusive. It needs to be accessible, and clubs like this require funding.”

While Ebony regularly has 150 riders, and welcomes various school projects, it costs £1,000 a day to run.

More than 20 of its youngsters now work in the equine industry. Others are studying for degrees, or have job interviews lined up.

“The young people can see the horses develop, and they are developing as well,” says Irishman Fleming, a former employee of racing’s powerful Coolmore Stud who foaled the super sire Montjeu.

“We have got children who don’t know what a field is. Some of them have never been out of Brixton. But there is so much talent – there are so many Khadijahs out there. Schools are full of them. You just need to get out and say ‘come and ride a horse.'”