Pakistan’s pioneering female jockey Alishba who shattered glass ceilings

A Trailblazing 18-Year-Old: Pakistan’s First Female Apprentice Jockey Opens Doors for a New Generation of Women in Sports

On October 10, 2021, the quiet lawns of Lahore Race Club witnessed history. Amid the thunder of hooves and cheers of spectators, an 18-year-old schoolgirl from Sargodha climbed aboard a bay mare named Ubbi. Competing against eleven seasoned male jockeys, Alishba Mohsin became Pakistan’s first female apprentice jockey to ride in a professional race. She finished sixth that day.

But the placement hardly mattered. What mattered was that she had broken through a wall of tradition in one of the country’s oldest and most conservative sports.

Her performance was more than a race result — it was a declaration that the future of horse racing, and women’s role in it, could no longer be confined by outdated boundaries.

### Early Life and Childhood Fascination

Born in Sargodha, Alishba grew up in a family that valued education and encouraged her curiosity. Her first brush with horse racing came at age seven when she accompanied her father to the Lahore Race Club. A family friend owned several racehorses, and the sight of jockeys flying down the track left a lasting impression.

“It started as a childhood hobby,” Alishba says with modesty. “From the very beginning, I loved horses. I would visit them whenever I could. The smell of the stables, the energy of the track — it fascinated me.”

For years, she was content as a spectator. At 13, she finally enrolled in the club’s riding school, but balancing academics meant her first stint was short-lived. The dream was temporarily shelved — but never forgotten.

### Turning Dreams Into Reality

At 17, Alishba returned to the track, determined this time to go beyond casual strolls to riding professionally. When she voiced her ambition of becoming a jockey, the response was dismissive: “Girls don’t ride in races.”

Her reply was simple but powerful: “I want to do this. I like this place.”

Under mentors like former champion jockey Aftab Chaudhry and trainer Tahir Abbas, she threw herself into training. From riding drills and gate practice to physical conditioning, Alishba built her strength, stamina, skills, and courage.

She fought through leg cramps, early-morning workouts, and skepticism from all corners of the racing fraternity. By 2021, she was ready.

### The Making of a Jockey

Standing 5’4” and weighing just 45 kilograms, Alishba had the ideal build for a jockey. But success in racing depends on more than size — it demands sharp instincts, discipline, and fearlessness.

She trained six days a week, balancing her A-Level classes with grueling mornings at the track. Safety, she quickly learned, was paramount. An early fall while riding without proper gear taught her a painful lesson: “It’s very important to wear a body protector,” she stresses.

Perhaps the hardest skill was mental focus. “You have to be completely active and concentrated. One slip of attention can mean disaster,” she explains.

Her pragmatic approach to horses impressed many. While some riders formed emotional bonds with their mounts, Alishba adapted quickly to whichever horse she was assigned. “Owners can switch jockeys at the last minute,” she says matter-of-factly. “So you need to ride with skill, not sentiment.”

### Historic Debut

On October 10, 2021, during the Imtiaz Memorial Cup, Alishba finally got her chance. She rode Ubbi, trained by Mohammad Kamal, in a field of 11 horses — all others partnered by male jockeys.

Her sixth-place finish was met with thunderous applause. Lahore Race Club chairman Makhdum Syed Ahmad Mahmud awarded her Rs 30,000 and, more importantly, a standing ovation.

“I was elated,” she remembers. “They praised my courage and said I had set an example for other girls. That meant more to me than anything.”

For the first time in Pakistan’s history, a woman had raced as a jockey.

### A First Gallop to Glory

Two months later, Alishba made headlines again. In December 2021, she guided Magical City to victory in a five-furlong sprint, becoming the first Pakistani woman to win a professional horse race.

Balancing exams with racing, she laughed later: “I had finished my school exams that same week. Then I won a race. It was a special feeling.”

Her partnership with Magical City brought more success in January 2022, when she won the Kaghan Plate. No longer just a novelty, she had proven herself as a competitor.

### Barriers and Bias

But racing as a woman in Pakistan was never going to be easy. Owners, wary of entrusting valuable horses to a female rider, often preferred experienced male jockeys.

“Owners don’t trust me yet,” she admits. “Sometimes I get replaced at the last minute. They think I can’t deliver.”

In one painful incident, she was pulled off a horse just before the race because bookmakers doubted her ability. But instead of discouraging her, the discrimination fueled her determination.

### Balancing Studies and Sport

While her peers focused on exams and college admissions, Alishba lived a double life: A-Level student by day, apprentice jockey by dawn. Her parents insisted education must come first.

“Studies are my priority,” she acknowledges. “Racing is my passion, but academics will shape my future.”

Her daily routine often began at 6 a.m. with track workouts, followed by hours at school, then homework late into the night. The balancing act demanded discipline beyond her years.

### A Setback, Then Growth Abroad

Injuries are part of every jockey’s life, and Alishba was no exception. A collarbone fracture during a fall while riding sidelined her for months.

But instead of giving up, she convinced her parents to let her train abroad. She spent three months at the National Horse Racing College in Doncaster, UK — home to some of the world’s best jockeys.

The experience transformed her skills. “I learned pacing, equipment use, even how to hold reins properly,” she recalls. “The training was from morning to evening, very tough. But it showed me how much I still had to learn.”

More importantly, she saw female jockeys treated as equals — a glimpse of what could one day be possible in Pakistan.

### Inspiring Others

Alishba’s courage has already inspired others. Maidah Asim, Pakistan’s second female jockey, credits her for encouragement: “She told me not to be nervous, to just focus on the ride. Without her, I wouldn’t be here.”

What was once unimaginable is now reality — Pakistan has multiple female jockeys, with more likely to follow.

### Role Model and Vision

Alishba looks up to international stars like Britain’s Hollie Doyle while respecting local veterans like Tahir Abbas and Aftab Chaudhry.

Her message to girls is clear: “Don’t be afraid. Do what your heart desires. You can do anything.”

She emphasizes family support above all. “Without my father’s support, I could never have done this. Families must believe in their daughters.”

### Cultural Impact

Beyond racing, Alishba’s achievements symbolize progress for Pakistani women. In a society where female athletes still face skepticism, her courage offers a new narrative — one of empowerment, resilience, and possibility.

Her standing ovations at the racecourse weren’t just for her — they were for every young girl watching, dreaming of a future once considered impossible.

### Looking Ahead

Today, Alishba continues to train while pursuing her studies. She dreams of competing in Pakistan’s Fillies Derby and hopes one day to race internationally.

But whether or not she builds a long career in racing, her place in history is secure. On October 10, 2021, she became the first. And sometimes, being the first is the biggest victory of all.

### Truth Is Clear

At just 18, Alishba Mohsin broke barriers that had stood for decades. From her first ride on Ubbi to her victories with Magical City, she proved that talent knows no gender.

Her journey is not just about horse racing — it’s about challenging stereotypes, inspiring the next generation, and proving that impossible dreams can be achieved with determination and courage.

In a country where women’s roles in sports are still evolving, Alishba’s story stands as a beacon of hope.

The tracks she rides on are no longer just fields of competition — they are symbols of change.

And as the thunder of hooves echoes at Lahore Race Club, one truth is clear: Alishba Mohsin has already won the most important race of all — the race against doubt, tradition, and fear.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1345091-pakistans-pioneering-female-jockey-alishba-who-shattered-glass-ceilings

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