Nine budding jockeys will be officially welcomed into Racing Victoria’s (RV) Apprentice Jockey Training Program (AJTP) at a function at Flemington Racecourse tonight, before embarking on a four-year apprenticeship to become senior riders.
The seven female and two male riders who make up the AJTP’s 2022 class are: Emily Pozman and Thomas Prebble (who are both apprenticed to trainer Peter Moody), Dakotah Keane (Tony Noonan), Jaylah Kennedy (Dan O’Sullivan), Alysha Warren (Danny O’Brien), Ryan Houston (Paul Preusker), Jess Booth (Ciaron Maher), Danica Munro (Liam Howley), and Rose Hammond (Gwenda Johnstone).
Throughout their apprenticeship, the riders will be tutored by RV Apprentice Jockey Coaches, Darren Gauci and Alf Matthews, on the art of race riding, while receiving education and guidance from leading professionals at the Victorian Institute of Sport, Exercise Research Australia and other health and wellbeing specialists.
The select group, who range in age from 18 to 23, underwent a stringent talent identification process throughout 2021 as part of RV’s Rider Development Squad to gain entry into the AJTP.
Over the next four years they will develop their knowledge and skills across a range of areas including performance analysis, sports science, media, finance, and business skills, in addition to race riding, with the shared goal of emerging as elite athletes prepared for a professional career as a jockey.
Inductee Thomas Prebble, who turned 20 last week, will now look to follow in his family’s footsteps, as the son of successful jockeys Brett Prebble and Maree Payne.
“My interest in racing came quite late, despite mum and dad being jockeys. Living in Hong Kong, kids don’t really get much chance to be involved in racing so I focused on lots of other sports. It wasn’t until late in year 12 back here in Melbourne that I really started taking an interest,” Prebble explained.
“It’s been a steep learning curve for sure to even get to where I’ve got now. I’m inspired by seeing others do well and succeed. Whether it’s dad winning a Caulfield Cup or Ben Allen winning the Oakleigh Plate, they are examples of what inspires me to be the best I can be.
“I’d like to be as successful as my ability allows, respected, and I’d like to make a positive contribution to our sport and have mum, dad and my boss Peter Moody proud of what I’m doing.”
Jess Booth on the other hand has no family connections to racing but it was the love of the horse that helped her determine what career path to embark on.
“I have always really connected with horses and loved being active and outdoors. If you had asked me as a young kid what my dream job would be I would have said a horse rider,” the 22-year-old said.
“I began riding horses as a toddler, before competing in eventing tournaments, and eventually I fell in love with racing while riding trackwork at Nathan Dunn’s stable.
“I love being a part of each horse’s journey and seeing them improve, it’s so touching. To be a part of that, and to have the opportunity to follow them further into their careers as racehorses is a dream come true.”
With Booth and six other female apprentices among the 2022 class, female riders now make up 75% of inductees into the AJTP over the last five years which is translating into increased female participation in Victorian racing. A decade ago, 18 per cent of jockeys riding in the state were female. Today that number has grown to 28 per cent and is on an upward spiral.
RV Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, said: “We are thrilled to formally welcome such a promising group of young athletes into our Apprentice Jockey Training Program. Their induction brings both great anticipation and excitement and we all look forward to tracking their development in the years ahead.
“Our Apprentice Jockey Training Program not only prepares riders with the technical skills to become a successful jockey, but ensures they also graduate as well-rounded professionals with the relevant training to be successful in sport and life.
“We have seen exceptional growth in our female riding ranks over the past five to 10 years and from that viewpoint it’s pleasing to welcome another seven young women into the program as they each seek to follow in the footsteps of Michelle Payne, Jamie Kah and Linda Meech to name just a few.
“On behalf of all within the Victorian racing industry, we wish all nine inductees the very best of luck during their training and know that they will be given every opportunity to excel under the tutelage of our Apprentice Jockey Coaches Darren Gauci and Alf Matthews.”
The ATJP is led by Lisa Hocking, RV’s Workforce Capability Manager, working in conjunction with Gauci, Matthews and RV’s Jockey Wellbeing and Safety Officer, Ron Hall.
Tonight’s event will also celebrate five apprentices who will officially graduate from the program, along with the presentation of five awards to the year’s leading apprentices. Award winners and graduates will be communicated later this evening.