(CNN) The south London district of Brixton isn't necessarily the sort of place you'd expect to find a horse riding club, but amid concrete streets and towering apartment blocks lies the paddock where Khadijah Mellah first fell in love with the sport.

When the 18-year-old takes to the start line at the Goodwood Festival Thursday, surrounded by an oasis of green in the south of Engand countryside, it will seem a far cry from the venue in which she's more accustomed to riding horses.

Thursday's Magnolia Cup -- the annual ladies-only charity race at "Glorious Goodwood" -- will be a momentous occasion for Mellah. On top of marking her competitive racing debut, it will also make her the Cup's first Muslim rider, as well as the first jockey to wear a hijab at a British racecourse.

The student is the first to admit that she's something of an anomaly within the horse racing community.

"I've been looking at the racing history and typically it's all just middle class white women," Mellah tells CNN Sport.

"It's a nice change to see someone who isn't typically racing to be racing. I feel like it could open up doors for people and I like the idea that I'm starting a little movement and surprising people."

Mellah hopes to inspire other Muslim athletes when she competes at Goodwood.

'Exhausting' work

When travel to riding centers outside London proved too expensive, Mellah's family discovered Brixton's Ebony Horse Club, a community riding and horse care center intended to give fresh opportunities to young people living in one of London's most disadvantaged areas.

The sight of horses trotting around in the heart of London is an arresting one.

Photos: Royal Ascot images Photos: Royal Ascot images Day four – Hayley Turner becomes only the second female jockey to ride a winner at Royal Ascot and the first in 32 years after Gay Kelleway. Hide Caption 1 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images As is tradition, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leads the royal procession at Royal Ascot. Hide Caption 2 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Huge crowds once again pack the historic race course in Berkshire, west of London. Hide Caption 3 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Spectacular hats are very much in vogue at Royal Ascot. Hide Caption 4 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images And Dettori adds another winner to his fabulous four from day three, including the Ascot Gold Cup. Hide Caption 5 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images After a wet week, the sun is out at Ascot and racegoers are able to enjoy picnics in the car park. Hide Caption 6 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (yellow waistcoat) is head of the Godolphin racing operation and a familiar face at British horse racing tracks. Hide Caption 7 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Frankie Dettori riding Advertise leads the field on the run-in in the Commonwealth Cup. Hide Caption 8 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Day three – Britain's Queen Elizabeth II presents jockey Frankie Dettori with the Gold Cup after his second straight win on Stradivarius. Hide Caption 9 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images The win marks Dettori's fourth straight victory of the day and a seventh Gold Cup in all. Hide Caption 10 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images The huge crowd is gripped to the action as the Gold Cup unfolded. Hide Caption 11 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot is when the extra special outfits are on display. Hide Caption 12 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Day three – Frankie Dettori (yellow cap) and Stradivarius hold off Dee Ex Bee and Master of Reality to clinch a famous win on Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot. Hide Caption 13 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives in the Royal Enclosure ahead of Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot. Hide Caption 14 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Premier League footballers Peter Crouch (right) and Glen Johnson with their wives on Ladies' Day. Hide Caption 15 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Day two: – The Royal Procession makes its way down the Straight Mile at Royal Ascot ahead of racing. Hide Caption 16 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Day one: – Britain's Queen Elizabeth II riding in the leading carriage during the Royal Procession to open Royal Ascot 2019. Hide Caption 17 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Taiwanese model, actress and singer Lin Chi-ling is one of a host of celebrities at Royal Ascot Wednesday. Hide Caption 18 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Veteran Italian jockey Frankie Dettori treats the crowd to his trademark flying dismount after clinching his 61st winner at Royal Ascot in the opener. Hide Caption 19 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images The heavens opened later Wednesday as Frankie Dettori rode Crystal Ocean (right) to victory in the showpiece Prince Of Wales's Stakes. Hide Caption 20 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William enjoy the occasion despite the rain. Hide Caption 21 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Queen Maxima is full of smiles as she waved to racegoers. Hide Caption 22 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Royal Ascot is a highlight of the British sporting and cultural calendar. Hide Caption 23 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images The event features five days of world-class horse racing and high fashion. Hide Caption 24 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Racegoers are encouraged to express themselves within the confines of a strict dress code. Hide Caption 25 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images New Zealand model Georgia Fowler is among a host of celebrities in attendance on day one. Hide Caption 26 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Hats are an essential Royal Ascot accessory. Hide Caption 27 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Light rain Tuesday couldn't dampen spirits at Royal Ascot in Berkshire, west of London. Hide Caption 28 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Upmarket picnics in the car park are a Royal Ascot tradition for some. Hide Caption 29 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Daniel Tudhope rode Lord Glitters (grey) to victory in the opening Queen Anne Stakes on day one. Hide Caption 30 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Ryan Moore rode Circus Maximus (second left, white cap) to victory in the showpiece St James's Palace Stakes ahead of the third-placed Frankie Dettori-trained favorite Too Darn Hot (in pink, center). Hide Caption 31 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images The Royal Enclosure is the high-society place to be seen at Ascot. Hide Caption 32 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images James Doyle rode Blue Point (blue) to win the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes. Hide Caption 33 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Punters can bet on the color of the Queen's hat every day. Hide Caption 34 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Attendees dress up for the occasion. Hide Caption 35 of 36 Photos: Royal Ascot images Members of the band 'The Tootsie Rollers' pose ahead of day on at Royal AScot. Hide Caption 36 of 36

"Day in, day out people are passing by saying, 'Oh my God, is that a horse? Is that a riding center?'" says Mellah. "It's such a privilege to be involved in such a niche club, there aren't many like it."

For the past few weeks she has been living and riding at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk, England preparation for the Magnolia Cup.

Training has been arduous, not least because Mellah has had to learn to ride a thoroughbred racehorse from scratch.

Then there's also been her schoolwork (she sat exams in physics, math and design and tech in the hope of achieving the grades to study engineering at university), her other interests (she had to give up boxing), her part time job as a children's party supervisor and that she undertook much of her grueling training regime while fasting for Ramadan.

"I'm quite exhausted," Mellah admits.

JUST WATCHED How to be a jockey at the Magnolia Cup Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH How to be a jockey at the Magnolia Cup 01:48

Inspiring others

As for the riding, she says it took time to adapt to the new discipline, but after a few hiccups and falls soon began to hit her stride.

"The first time I sat on a racehorse was a couple of months ago," she continues. "Racehorses and thoroughbreds are just a different breed and it took me a while to understand them.

"Obviously if you don't understand something, you tend to fear what you don't understand ... there was a certain element of panic and fear, but thankfully I've got over that stage."

Although none of the Magnolia Cup competitors are professional jockeys, they will be competing in a festival cluttered with famous names and big-money races, notably the $1.25 million Qatar Sussex Stakes.

Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved Goodwood racecourse offers far-reaching views across the Sussex Downs in the south of England. Hide Caption 1 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved Racegoers take in the drama of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, commonly known as "Glorious Goodwood." Hide Caption 2 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved It's one of the highlights of the flat racing season, with 35 races taking place over five days for a total purse of $6.5 million. Hide Caption 3 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved Dating back to 1802, the event is a favorite with punters and boasts spectacular views across the south England countryside. Hide Caption 4 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved The atmosphere is one of an English garden party. Hide Caption 5 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved It's a chance for racegoers to dress up in finery, especially on Ladies' Day. Hide Caption 6 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved Popular Italian jockey Frankie Dettori rode Too Darn Hot (center, pink) to win the showpiece Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Hide Caption 7 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved Legendary racehorse Frankel made history in 2012 by becoming the first horse to win the Sussex Stakes twice having also triumphed the previous year. Hide Caption 8 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved This year, 18-year-old Khadijah Mellah became the first jockey wearing a hijab to race in Britain. She won the Magnolia Cup charity race, having only sat on a racehorse for the first time in April. Hide Caption 9 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved The facilities at Goodwood offer good views over the parade ring and winner's enclosure. Hide Caption 10 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved Oisin Murphy and Deirdre (left) overhauled Frankie Dettori on Mehdaayih to win the historic Nassau Stakes. Hide Caption 11 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved Nearby Trundle Hill offers far-reaching views across Goodwood. Hide Caption 12 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved The event is often seen as the end of the British social season, which also includes tennis at Wimbledon, rowing at the Henley Regatta and racing at Royal Ascot. Hide Caption 13 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved Goodwood has its own distinctive style known as "The Goodwood Look." The dress code is more relaxed compared to other of Britain's racing events. Hide Caption 14 of 15 Photos: Why "Glorious Goodwood" is so loved Dressing up is not just for the ladies. Hide Caption 15 of 15

Mellah will line up alongside 11 other riders at Goodwood including former track cyclist and double Olympic gold medalist Victoria Pendleton and Irish model Vogue Williams.

In spite of the celebrity lineup, it's Mellah who has achieved the lion share of media attention in the buildup to the race, which has also included filming for a documentary about her journey.

Not that any of that is phasing the teen, who admitted to feeling "pretty chilled" a couple of weeks out from the event, the outcome of which she hopes will inspire onlookers -- be it on a horse or in another walk of life.

"There's no reason why anyone can't become good at a sport," says Mellah. "As long as you put the hard work and the effort in, there's no real reason why you can't be good at what you want to do."