The last 12 months have been something of a rollercoaster ride for Australian jockey Jamie Kah. Last July, Kah entered the record books by becoming the first female jockey to win over 100 races in a Melbourne Metropolitan racing season, and she became the first woman to win the Victoria Metropolitan Jockeys Premiership.

That roaring success meant that Kah started the 2021/22 season as the favourite to retain her premiership, but, of course, a high-profile court battle meant she spent most of the early season banned from riding. That was resolved, of course, and Kah got back in the saddle in November, and she has essentially picked up from where she left off.
While Kah’s early-season issues mean that Jye McNeil is likely to triumph in the Melbourne Jockey Premiership 2022 , it’s still undeniably clear that Kah’s star is on the rise – both at home and abroad. And she has her sights set on the European summer, notably an appearance at Royal Ascot in the UK.

Kah hopes for a ride in a royal setting
Kah spoke of her passion for the British showpiece recently, saying it has always been a dream of hers to go to Royal Ascot as a spectator. However, circumstances might dictate that she goes there as a rider – and a potential Royal Ascot winner. Kah has ridden at Ascot before – in the 2019 Shergar Cup (August) – but Royal Ascot week (June) is a different kind of experience, one that gets global attention.
Kah’s options depend on several factors, most notably what fellow jockey James McDonald decides to do. McDonald is expected to opt for the Chris Waller-trained Home Affairs, clearing the way for Kah to team up again with Nature Strip. Both the King’s Stand Stakes and Platinum Jubilee Stakes are options: Nature Strip is currently second-favourite for the former and favourite for the latter. Kah won the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes on Nature Strip last year, and the pair finished second in the same race this year, but McDonald is the regular rider for Nature Strip.

Zaaki may travel north
Another option is Zaaki, aboard whom Kah won the All-Star Mile in March. Zaaki has been listed as a possibility for the Queen Anne Stakes, although his participation is far from certain. Zaaki spent his first few seasons in the UK and has appeared at Royal Ascot before (3rd in the Hampton Court Stakes in 2018), although he never hit the heights in the Northern Hemisphere like he did in Australia. Still, his potential return to the UK is generating plenty of buzz.

Zaaki
As for Kah, her involvement in Royal Ascot is sure to get a lot of attention. The work Kah has been doing to raise the profile of female jockeys in Australia has been mirrored by several female jockeys in the UK, most notably jumps Rachael Blackmorejockey and fellow flat jockey Hollie Doyle. The latter will most certainly be at Royal Ascot, perhaps competing against Kah in a couple of the major races.

Royal Ascot 2022 will be held from 14th – 18th June

Image: https://twitter.com/Racing/status/1518435712596643840/photo/1