RMBL announced as new sponsor of Rising Stars Series

The start of today’s 2018-2019 apprentice-only Rising Stars Series has been bolstered with the news of a new naming rights sponsor, RMBL Investments, whose chairman Colin Madden was a co-owner of Black Caviar.   

RMBL Investments has specialised in mortgage investments for the past five decades and is currently chaired by Madden, the prominent Victorian racehorse owner best known for his part-ownership of the unbeaten mare whose 25-race winning streak could be eclipsed by Winx on Saturday.

Madden currently has shares in a number of horses including Black Caviar’s second-born foal, Prince of Caviar, and he was keen to enhance his support of the Victorian racing industry by sponsoring the RMBL Investments Rising Stars Series, which gets underway at Sale this afternoon.

The series, won last season by rising star Ethan Brown, sees Victorian apprentices compete for $9,000 in retail vouchers across 24 races, culminating in the final at Flemington on Saturday 20 July, 2019.

“The Rising Stars Series seemed like the perfect initiative for RMBL Investments to get behind, as we are keen to support youth in the industry and help showcase the emerging talent coming through the Victorian apprentice jockey ranks,” Madden said.

“Some great talent has emerged from this program in recent years and we look forward to keeping a close eye on the competition as it unfolds, in what I’m sure will be another terrific series.”

Racing Victoria’s Athlete and Careers Development Manager, Melissa Weatherley, said: “As the series kicks off today in Sale, we are really excited to have the support of Colin Madden and RMBL Investments for the upcoming season.”

“The RMBL Rising Stars Series gives our apprentice riders the opportunity to further develop their riding skills against their peers, and I’m sure we are set for another great competition this season.”

Points will again be awarded for the top five placings in each leg of the series as follows: first–12, second–6, third–4, fourth–2, fifth–1.

The jockey who accumulates the most points wins a $6,000 retail voucher and the Rising Stars trophy, while second place takes home a $2,000 retail voucher and third place a $1,000 retail voucher.

Past winners of the Rising Stars Series include Group 1-winning jockeys Blake Shinn, Craig Newitt and Nick Hall and, more recently, Jye McNeil, Regan Bayliss, Beau Mertens and Brown, who just pipped Steph Thornton to the prize last season.

2018/2019 RMBL Investments Rising Stars Series Schedule