The girl who
dared to dream:
How one
teenager changed Pakistani horse racing forever
Sometimes
the biggest revolutions start with the smallest voices saying "I want to
try."
Asher Butt
Picture
this: It's October 10, 2021, at the Lahore Race Club. The crowd buzzes with
anticipation as eleven horses line up for the Imtiaz Memorial Cup. But today
isn't just another race day. History is about to unfold through the dreams of
an 18-year-old girl who refused to accept "girls aren't allowed."
Meet Alishba
Mohsin – the teenager who didn't just break barriers, she completely redefined
what was possible for women in Pakistani sports.
When dreams
take root
Every great
story has humble beginnings, and Alishba's started with a seven-year-old's
wide-eyed wonder. Imagine little Alishba, hand-in-hand with her father, walking
through the prestigious Lahore Race Club for the first time. Her father's
friend owned racehorses, and while adults discussed business, she found herself
mesmerized by something else entirely – the magnificent horses and their
fearless riders.
"It was
just a childhood hobby," she'd later say with characteristic modesty. But
we all know that's how the best adventures begin, don't we? With innocent
curiosity that slowly grows into unstoppable passion.
For five
years, she remained a spectator, soaking in every detail, every race, every
moment. The seed was planted, quietly growing in the fertile ground of a
determined young mind.
The moment
everything changed
Fast forward
to age 13. Alishba finally convinces her parents to let her join the riding
school. But life has other plans – academic pressures force her to quit after
just one month. Many would have given up there. The practical choice would have
been to focus on studies and forget this "impractical" dream.
But Alishba?
She was just getting started.
Four years
later, at 17, she marches back into the Lahore Race Club with renewed purpose.
This time, she doesn't want to just ride horses – she wants to race them
professionally.
The response
was predictably discouraging: "Girls aren't allowed to ride."
Her reply?
Pure gold: "No, I want to do this. I like this place."
And that, my
friends, is how revolutions begin – with a young woman who simply refuses to
accept limitations that others have created for her.
The making
of a champion
What
happened next reads like something out of a sports movie. Under the guidance of
former champion jockey Aftab Chaudhry and trainer Tahir Abbas, Alishba embarked
on eighteen months of grueling preparation.
Six days a
week, she'd train for hours. Her 5'4" frame and 45-kilogram weight made
her physically perfect for racing, but the sport demanded so much more. She had
to develop laser-sharp focus ("Any distraction can cause you to
fall"), lightning-fast reflexes, and the mental toughness to handle horses
that could literally do anything, anytime.
The physical
toll was brutal initially. "I used to get very tired and have muscle
cramps all over my legs," she remembers. But her diverse athletic
background – football, swimming, racquet sports – had prepared her body for
this challenge.
Safety
became paramount after an early injury taught her the importance of protective
gear. "It's very important to wear a body protector," she now
emphasizes, having learned that proper equipment can mean the difference
between a minor mishap and a career-ending disaster.
That historic
day
October 10,
2021. The date is now etched in Pakistani sports history.
Alishba
mounted bay mare Ubbi, faced a field of eleven male jockeys, and did something
no Pakistani woman had ever done before – competed in a professional horse
race.
The pressure
must have been enormous. She wasn't just representing herself; she carried the
hopes and dreams of every girl who'd been told her aspirations were
"inappropriate" or "impossible."
Sixth place.
That's where she finished in her debut race.
But here's
the beautiful thing about breakthrough moments – sometimes the finishing
position matters less than the fact that you crossed the finish line at all.
Alishba didn't just participate; she shattered a ceiling that had existed for
decades.
The Lahore
Race Club erupted. Standing ovation. Cash prize of Rs 30,000 from the chairman.
But most importantly, respect – genuine, hard-earned respect from a community
that had never seen anything like this before.
From historic
debut to victory lane
Two months
later, December 2021, Alishba achieved something even more remarkable. Riding
Magical City in a five-furlong race, she became the first Pakistani woman to
actually win a professional horse race.
The victory
was particularly sweet because it came during her school exams week. "I
had given my school exams earlier in the same week," she recalls. Imagine
juggling calculus problems and race strategy simultaneously!
The win on
Magical City – completed in an impressive 1 minute 2 seconds – proved this
wasn't just a feel-good story or publicity stunt. This was genuine athletic
excellence.
Another
victory followed in January 2022 in the Kaghan Plate, again aboard Magical
City. The message was clear: Alishba Mohsin was here to compete, not just
participate.
When setbacks
become setups
In 2022, a
serious collarbone injury forced Alishba off the track for three months. For
many athletes, this would be devastating. For Alishba? It became an
opportunity.
She
convinced her parents to let her travel to England for training at the National
Horse Racing College in Doncaster – the same institution that produced
record-breaking British female jockey Hollie Doyle.
The program
was intense: 6 AM to 8 PM daily, covering everything from advanced riding
techniques to comprehensive horse management. But the experience was
transformative.
"I
learned proper rein handling, equipment selection, race pacing
strategies," she explains. "I realized I wasn't even holding the
reins properly before."
More
importantly, she experienced a racing culture where female jockeys were
completely normal, fully integrated members of the sport. It showed her what
Pakistan's racing future could look like.
The real
talk: Challenges that still exist
Let's be
honest about something – being a pioneer isn't easy. Despite her proven
abilities, Alishba still faces discrimination from horse owners who prefer male
jockeys for important races.
"Many
owners don't trust female riders with valuable horses," she admits with
refreshing honesty. "They're protecting significant investments, but
building confidence requires consistent performance demonstration."
The
economics are challenging too. Monthly earnings typically range from Rs 25,000
to Rs 50,000, primarily from track work. Add minimal insurance coverage and
significant injury risks, and you understand why she views racing as a
passionate pursuit rather than a primary career.
There was
even an incident where she was switched as a rider at the last minute for a
race her horse had a real chance of winning – simply because bookmakers worried
about having a female jockey.
But here's
what makes Alishba special: she doesn't let these challenges embitter her.
Instead, she uses them as motivation to prove herself further.
Balancing dreams
and reality
Throughout
this incredible journey, Alishba has maintained her academic commitments. From
A-Level studies at Lahore Grammar School to university business program
enrollment, education remains a priority.
"Sometimes
balancing studies and racing becomes difficult," she acknowledges.
"But both remain important, so I manage the schedule accordingly."
Her family's
wisdom shines through here – they've supported her racing dreams while ensuring
she has other options for the future. It's practical parenting that doesn't
crush dreams but provides safety nets.
The ripple
effect: Creating more dreams
Perhaps the
most beautiful part of Alishba's story is how it's enabling others. Maidah Asim
became Pakistan's second licensed female jockey, directly crediting Alishba's
support and mentorship.
"She
told me to stay calm and focus on riding technique," Maidah explains.
This is how
real change happens – not just through individual achievement, but through
lifting others up along the way. Alishba isn't just competing; she's actively
creating opportunities for the next generation.
The philosophy
that drives her
"Don't
be afraid to pursue your passions," Alishba tells young women. "With
family support and determination, any goal becomes achievable. Women can excel
in any field they choose."
It sounds
simple, but living these words requires extraordinary courage. In a society
where women's participation in public sports often faces resistance, Alishba
has chosen to be the proof that change is possible.
Her approach
to handling horses reveals her professional mindset: "You don't need to
have a bond with the horse because the owner might change the jockey on spot...
so you don't know which horse you're going to ride next."
It's
pragmatic, professional, and utterly realistic about the industry she's chosen
to conquer.
What success
really looks like
Her favorite
mount, Muka, has provided one victory and two second-place finishes. These
consistent performances showcase technical competence that goes far beyond
novelty value.
Current
goals include securing rides in major races like the 1,000 Guineas of Pakistan,
worth Rs 2 million in prize money. It's ambitious, challenging, and exactly the
kind of goal that pioneers set for themselves.
The cultural
revolution in motion
Alishba's
success represents something profound in Pakistani society – the possibility of
honoring tradition while embracing change. The positive reception from racing
community leaders suggests evolving attitudes toward women's sports
participation.
Her
international media coverage positions Pakistan positively regarding women's
rights and opportunities, providing powerful counter-narratives to restrictive
stereotypes.
Where inspiration
comes from
She draws
motivation from international role model Hollie Doyle, the record-breaking
British jockey, while maintaining deep respect for Pakistani racing legends
like Tahir Abbas, Tayyaba Dinar, and Aftab Chaudhary.
This balance
– international inspiration with local respect – has helped her navigate
cultural sensitivities while pushing boundaries.
The journey
continues
As I write
this, Alishba continues competing, studying, and mentoring others. Her journey
from curious seven-year-old to professional jockey represents more than
individual success – it symbolizes the power of dreams supported by family,
nurtured by mentors, and pursued with unwavering determination.
She's proven
that the biggest barriers often exist in our minds, reinforced by societal
expectations that may be outdated but feel insurmountable. Sometimes all it
takes is one person brave enough to say, "I want to try," and
suddenly the impossible becomes inevitable.
The legacy
that's already written
At just 21
now, Alishba has already secured her place in Pakistani sports history. But her
real legacy won't be measured in trophies or records – it'll be seen in every
young woman who looks at her story and thinks, "If she can do it, maybe I
can too."
The track
she blazed continues welcoming new runners. The barriers she broke remain
permanently lowered. In the annals of Pakistani sports, October 10, 2021, will
be remembered as the day when one teenager's courage opened a world of
possibilities for countless others.
And that,
friends, is how real champions are measured – not just by the races they win,
but by the dreams they make possible for those who follow.
What dreams
are you ready to chase?
https://e.thenews.com.pk/lahore/21-09-2025/tns-page2
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1345091-pakistans-pioneering-female-jockey-alishba-who-shattered-glass-ceilings
https://sportstoday.com.pk/alishba-mohsin-pakistans-groundbreaking-female-jockey/
