Hi, my name is Katherine Lindsay.

I have been lucky enough to be selected as one of 12 jockeys to race in this year's Goodwood Magnolia Cup on Thursday 1st August 2024.

A congenital abnormality diagnosed when my mother was pregnant with me at 20 weeks meant that I was born with a tumour on my left lung. Although my mother was told I had only a 1 in 3 chance of survival in my first few months, and again in my first five years – I battled the odds to survive.

Luckily, my tumour was benign, but so large that it caused my heart to fall to the bottom of my chest, squeezing my other organs and often leaving me in intense pain. As a result, I spent much of my childhood in and out of hospital, having regular scans and check-ups, and as the subject of research to help other future babies in my position; if I wasn’t in hospital, I was having physio. I had to take things day by day, and missed out on so much of the fun, friendships and development my peers enjoyed.

It would have been easy for me to give up, faced with such challenges, or at least to live my life cautiously. Instead, I channelled the competitive nature and will to survive I had shown from such an early age into proving that my medical condition would not hold me back in life.

I was told that I might never have the lung capacity to do sport – I was determined to defy this, and began swimming daily to build up my ability and fitness, going on to captain my hockey team at school and excel at other sports, too.

A comfort to me throughout my childhood was my love and respect for animals of all kinds, especially horses, which I adored from an early age. Thanks to the incredible support of my parents, the persistence of doctors and my own commitment to succeed, I rode nearly daily for years, slowly increasing my ability and skill through sheer will and determination.

In 2014, I was selected for the British Junior Eventing Team, the year Great Britain won Gold, achieving more than I – and the doctors – ever thought possible. I went on to be long-listed for the next three years for the Young Rider Team, my dedication to the sport reminding me daily of all that I had overcome.

In 2020, I made the tough decision to hang up my boots, as I knew I could no longer give my horses the time and energy they so deserved while balancing a full-time job in London. I still ride as often as I can, and my devotion to it is undimmed. Riding in this years Magnolia Cup will, for me, serve an important purpose: to show other young women, who face challenges of any kind, that their dreams and goals are possible.

I am revelling in the challenge of the (VERY) intense training as much as I am loving directing my skill and enjoyment for riding towards an excellent cause, My Sisters' House. The charity works to improve the welfare and wellbeing of women, reducing their risk of domestic abuse and supporting their recovery, helping them to reach their goals for employment, education or training.

I am so fortunate to be training with Richard Hughes in Lambourn. The whole yard have welcomed me with open arms and I couldn't be more grateful for their support in this venture. They have spent hours passing on their knowledge on a weekly basis.

Alongside riding out, I have a fitness test to pass at the end of May, so I am constantly juggling work, riding and getting fit - your donations will not only help a wonderful charity, but really spur me on as I continue this challenge.