Jockeys from disadvantaged backgrounds ‘inspire’ Duchess
THE Duchess of Cornwall has hailed young jockeys from disadvantaged backgrounds as an “inspiration” after they joined her in the royal box at Ascot yesterday.
Camilla said she felt “huge pride” watching the races with riders from Brixton, south London, and hoped they would be future stars of the sport.
The aspiring teenage jockeys were from Ebony Horse Club, of which Camilla is president.
They were joined in the royal box by Sir Francis Brooke, the Queen’s representative at Ascot, and were also treated to a VIP tour of the facilities at Ascot during their visit to Berkshire.
Camilla, 74, said it had been a “wonderful” experience, adding: “I think they have had a fantastic day.
“I hope that there are going to be some budding jockeys in future.”
She later asked the riders to judge the best-dressed horse in the race, before inviting a larger group of students to help her present prizes to the winning jockey of the Ebony Horse Club Steeple Chase race.
Camilla attended the event less than 24 hours after returning from her tour of Jordan and Egypt with the Prince of Wales, where they celebrated the culture, heritage and achievements of the Middle East nations. The young jockeys praised the Duchess for the inspiring day out.
Theo Protheroe, 15, said: “It was really fun. It gave you a different perspective. Normally you’re down at ground level but you’re so high up and you can see everything.”
Ebony Horse Club currently has eight horses and hosts 140 riders every week. It aims to use the sport as a way of boosting the life skills, wellbeing, and aspirations of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the south London borough of Lambeth.
Sir Francis, who is chairman of the Ascot Authority, has formed a Friends of Ebony Horse Club syndicate with about a dozen other supporters.
The syndicate, which currently has three horses racing in Camilla’s colours and has won three races this year, has donated £50,000 to the club.
Sue Collins, Ebony’s chairman, and Khadijah Mellah, who became the first British Muslim woman jockey to win a race in 2019, watched the races alongside the jockeys in the royal box.
Jim Boyle, a trainer at the Friends of Ebony Horse Club syndicate, said: “We need to be open to attracting people from the younger generation and from a variety of backgrounds.
“The sport of kings is [now] open to people from a wider background.”