VIC. & S.A. Apprentices

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Topic: VIC. & S.A. Apprentices

Posted By: Gay3
Subject: VIC. & S.A. Apprentices
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2015 at 12:46pm

Congrats all of you on gaining entry, a feat in itself I understand Thumbs Up

. 8 guys/6 gals Smile

New athletes begin Apprentice Jockey Training Program

Racing Victoria
21 January, 2015

The 2015 intake of athletes with RV's Matthew Hyland, Melissa Weatherley and Matthew Pumpa

A new crop of 14 athletes have begun their journey to a career in the saddle – and perhaps Group 1 stardom - after they were officially inducted into Racing Victoria’s (RV) Apprentice Jockey Training Program (AJTP) on Wednesday.

Among the new starters in the renowned RV program are Lachlan King, the son of Emirates Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Steven King, Stephanie Thornton, the teenage sister of outstanding young riders Damien and Boris Thornton and Stephen Brown Junior, the son of successful Flemington horseman Stephen Brown.

In welcoming the aspiring jockeys into the program, RV’s Athlete Development and Industry Careers Advisor, Melissa Weatherley, said each individual would be given extensive coaching to further develop the skills, relationships and experience necessary to succeed at the highest level.

The group underwent a stringent selection process to gain entry into the four-year program which offers specialist learning in areas such as race riding, performance analysis, sports science and sports medicine, as well as media, finance and business skills.

The AJTP has proven to be a success with leading international jockeys Craig Williams and Brett Prebble among those graduating out of Victoria and Weatherley is confident this year’s inductees will be given the necessary foundations to forge successful riding careers in Australia and abroad.

“These athletes will not only hone their race riding skills, learn how to live, eat and train as elite sports people, but will also be equipped with the knowledge support required to develop a career once they decide to retire from professional riding,” Weatherley said.

“Our young athletes continue to receive fantastic opportunities through the program with Harry Coffey, Jye McNeil, Josh Cartwright, Regan Bayliss and Jessica Payne all invited to attend international apprentice-only riding series’ during 2014.

“Exciting opportunities such as these will be presented to these athletes in the program over the next four years and we look forward to assisting their ongoing development.”

The aspiring jockeys will be under the guidance of RV’s Jockey Coaches, retired jockey Matthew Pumpa and former Victorian trainer Matthew Hyland, as well as Jockey Wellbeing and Safety Officer, Ron Hall.

The trio is supported by a team of specialists from program partners including the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) and Exercise Research Australia (ERA).

The 14 athletes being inducted into Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program are as follows:

Athlete	Trainer	Location
Benjamin Allen	John Allen	Cranbourne
Anthony Boyd	Danny O'Brien	Flemington
Stephen Brown (Jnr)	Stephen Brown (Snr)	Flemington
Alexandra Bryan	Vincent Nolen	Benalla
Georgina Cartwright	Jamie Edwards & Bruce Elkington	Geelong
Mikaela Claridge	Allan Clarke	Hamilton
Harry Grace	Tim Grace	Benalla
Leticia Griffin	Dan O'Sullivan	Ballarat
Jordan Grob	Heath Conners	Geelong
Lachlan King	Gerald Egan	Mansfield
Dylan Payne	Mick Sell	Kyneton
Liam Riordan	Troy Corstens	Flemington
Amber Sims	Daniel Kelly	Ballarat
Stephanie Thornton	Glenn Thornton	Geelong

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Replies:

Posted By: James Bond Esq
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2015 at 12:54pm

Good luck. Hope to use your 3kg claims soon.

Posted By: Air Seattle
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2015 at 2:03pm

There are some other famous racing surnames in that list, are they linked too or is it just coincidence?

Posted By: Geraldo
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2015 at 4:01pm

How old are they?

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TBV - where it is the Silly Season all year round.

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2015 at 4:24pm

I don't know but surmise the youngest about 15/16 & I know Ambers Sims & Anthony Boyd are both mature age, in their twenties & have ridden several winners. She was app'd to Kevin Myers before coming here early last year & he in NSW but desperately wanted to return to Vic. Both have been victims of Vic Racing red tape but all seems sorted now Thumbs Up

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: pnclick
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2015 at 4:54pm

Dream comes true for Wagga's newest apprentice

By Matt Malone

Jan. 30, 2014, 10 a.m.

HAPPY DAYS: Wagga apprentice jockey Anthony Boyd at home yesterday with wife Sam and sons Braxton, 14 months, and Chase, 3, as he prepares for his first professional race ride at Albury tomorrow. Picture: Les Smith

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/advertise/" rel="nofollow - See your ad here

A LIFELONG dream will come true for Wagga-based apprentice Anthony Boyd when he is legged aboard for his first professional race ride at Albury tomorrow.

Turned away from his home state of Victoria, Boyd has dropped 26 kilograms and packed up his family for a move interstate all in a bid to chase his dream of becoming a fully-fledged jockey.

Boyd left his job with top Melbourne trainer Danny O'Brien six weeks ago to link with Wayne Carroll at Wagga to get the opportunity to take up an apprenticeship.

Boyd, 27, swapped riding the likes of Cox Plate winner Shamus Award for country life and it is a risk that is set to pay off when he jumps in the saddle at Albury tomorrow.

"It's been a massive move and it was a massive gamble to take," Boyd said yesterday.

"I've been working in the racing industry since I was a kid, I first sat on a racehorse when I was six months old, my grandfather was a trainer, my uncle was a jockey and my stepfather was a trainer.

"I always had the desire to be a professional race rider but I never had the belief in myself until now."

Boyd took up riding as an amateur in the picnic circuit in Victoria where he enjoyed 300 race rides but gave that away when his first child arrived almost three years ago.

During that time, Boyd "blew out" to 77 kilograms before he decided to get serious about a life in the saddle.

"I thought I had blown any hope of becoming a professional, I thought it had passed me by," Boyd said.

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/advertise/" rel="nofollow - See your ad here

"It's only when I sat down and thought that if I want to create a future for my kids, it's time to have a decent crack and get an apprenticeship."

O'Brien told Boyd if he got his weight down then he would apprentice him at Flemington and it all looked set to take place until Racing Victoria denied his application for this year's intake.

"I was told by Victorian racing that they couldn't include me in the 2014 apprentice intake so I will have to sit on the sidelines until 2015," Boyd said.

"We went to battle with them on that given I was 27 and had 300 amateur race rides...but I pretty much had the door closed in my face.

"I was literally forced out of my home state.

"I was given an opportunity by Wayne to come here and he helped move my family and has done everything possible to get my apprenticeship set up.

"He's been a massive help."

Six weeks into his apprenticeship in Wagga and Boyd is now 51 kilograms and cannot wait for his rides on Jo Jo Girl and Karawatha at Albury tomorrow.

"When I got the all clear this week and got told I'm allowed to ride on Friday I could have cried," Boyd said.

"I knew the day would come, I just had to belief in myself and I've been able to pull it off.

"I love it here, me and my wife are from the country so we're loving the area and the weather.

"Andy Bloomfield has helped me a lot and I've also got a lot of support from Tim Donnelly.

"Now at my weight, the world is my oyster."

Carroll said Boyd has been a wonderful addition to his stable.

"He's brought a lot of fresh ideas to the stable," Carroll said.

"A lot of different ideas from the way a lot of the city horses are trained and you're always learning in this game.

"It's been really helpful having two good jockeys in Andy and Anthony to ride trackwork together, it's made a big difference."

Given his experience, Boyd will start tomorrow with a two kilogram claim.

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2015 at 5:01pm

Well found pnclick Thumbs Up

here's one on Amber who spends most of her working hours on Archie Alexanders' horses.

Sims earns praise for winning ride

By TIM AULD

Jan. 14, 2014, 4 a.m.

FORMER champion jockey Patrick Payne spoke in glowing terms of apprentice jockey Amber Sims following her winning ride on Star Of Jeune in a benchmark 70 race over 3045 metres at Warrnambool yesterday.

Star Of Jeune defeated the favourite Clare Island Boy by more than two lengths with By His Design in third place on an eventful afternoon at the races.

Payne, who rode with success in Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong before taking up training in 2008, said he could not fault the ride of Sims on the seven-year-old gelding.

“It was a perfect ride by Amber,” Payne said.

“I had instructed her to try and get an easy lead in the 3045 metres race but when that plan failed she never panicked.

“Amber showed great initiative to just get a seat behind the leader Rich Faith.

“Amber’s got good hands. She just allowed the horse to come from behind the leaders before the home turn and the race was over within a few strides.”

The 19-year-old New Zealand-born jockey who is apprenticed to Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan said she had an easy ride on Star Of Jeune.

“Star Of Jeune travelled really well in the run,” Sims said.

“He just boxed up behind the leaders and when I asked him to go he just cruised past them. Patrick had the horse very fit to run out the 3045 metres.

“Star Of Jeune is rock hard fit so I think he’ll be hard to beat in any distance races in the future that Patrick decides to run him in.”

Sims was having her 10th Australian ride which resulted in her fourth win when she won on Star Of Jeune in the $15,000 race.

Payne said the four-kilogram claim for Sims was a bonus.

“I think Amber’s got a bright future,” Payne said.

“She’s only had three rides for me but on each occasion she has ridden the horses very well.

“Her four-kilo claim is very positive for trainers looking to take some weight off the top-weighted horses.

“I’ll look at getting Star Of Jeune ready for some jumping races over the next few months.

“We’ve given him plenty of time to mature. I think he’s got a bright future as a jumper.”

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: hatch
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2015 at 6:42pm

Who knows ,some potential champion jockeys might miss a chance to ride in races because they missed the selection group . Maybe the amateur riding might give them there chance. Maybe there should be more races for the amateurs for them to show there ability. Why not picnic races in different parts of Victoria , Avoca and Burrumbeet would be good tracks for them , good for track riders to have a go also . I feel sure they would be well supported by trainers. Give all a chance ,not just a selected few . Some good riders came through the non tote races in the past.

Posted By: hatch
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2015 at 5:58am

It would be great to see Anthony Boyd do well, I think everybody likes to see the rejected one do well, I think he has done well with his riding , be good to see him outdo the selected lot.

Posted By: hatch
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2015 at 7:42am

How many winners has Anthony Boyd ridden ? Did he go to an apprentice school anywhere ?

Posted By: Rudolf Steiner
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2015 at 8:04am

And people wonder why racing is a dead sport. Nepotism still running rampant

Posted By: James Bond Esq
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2015 at 8:11am

Same as most industries.

Posted By: hatch
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2015 at 8:36am

Restriction of trade , if a young rider can prove they have a lot of ability riding in trials or picnic races and know and abide by all the rules , should they be allowed to have a go? Or should there only be 14 selected ones , many of them of unknown ability . Does not sound to be a fair go to me. Yesterday I heard of a trainer who had a young rider , who had to go interstate to become an apprentice ,leaving him without a rider for his training. Sounds similar to Anthony Boyd , not so many years ago Victoria had 100 apprentice jockeys , the only training apart from their masters was from a steward who took them for a couple of hours in the evening once a fortnight ,almost no cost , some outstanding champion jockeys came from them . Victoria is short of track riders , should things be changed.

Posted By: The Insider
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2015 at 8:46am

Rudolf Steiner wrote:

And people wonder why racing is a dead sport. Nepotism still running rampant

Bad luck if you're not related to the right people. No hope for the kids from the council apartments

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2015 at 9:06am

hatch wrote:

How many winners has Anthony Boyd ridden ? Did he go to an apprentice school anywhere ?

Yes for the time he was in NSW & I believe one of the above had to threaten legal action to be accepted, fully warranted, imo Wink

Picnic	321	35	39	51	10%	38%
Country National	134	10	7	8	7%	18%
Country Victorian	24	1	2	1	4%	16%

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: hatch
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2015 at 10:15am

Thanks for that Gay, it will be very interesting to see how he goes , I don't see where he is riding at now , does anybody know.?

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2015 at 2:52pm

Determined Boyd books racetrack return

Daniel Miles https://www.twitter.com/DanielMiles90" rel="nofollow - @DanielMiles90

Racing Victoria first year apprentice, Anthony Boyd

Few jockeys can boast the dogged determination of mature-age apprentice Anthony Boyd.

The 28-year-old has harboured dreams of a career in the saddle for as long as he can remember, having been introduced to the caper by his uncle, John Hunter, also a successful jockey.

In a sadly all-too-familiar tale, there was just one thing standing in his way: weight.

“I always wanted to be a jockey, but ever since I was a kid I was told I was going to be too heavy and too tall,” Boyd said.

A natural horseman, Boyd consigned himself to a career as a track rider for trainer Danny O’Brien, working on a number of the Flemington trainer’s stable stars during the week and race riding on the Victorian picnic scene when time permitted.

However the arrival of his first child, Chase, saw Boyd focus his full attention on his growing family.

During that time away from the track, Boyd “blew out” to a size where he was no longer able to ride competitively.

“I was on the couch one night, watching a video my wife took of me with the kids in the pool and was absolutely blown away by how fat I was,” he said.

“I actually got out to 77 kilograms, I could hardly recognise myself. I started to lose a bit of weight, just for health reasons, and eventually got down to 60 kilograms. At that point I realised it was my opportunity to really have a go at the professionals (riding ranks).”

Anthony Boyd's incredible fitness transformation

Boyd took the opportunity with both hands, re-locating to New South Wales where he began an apprenticeship with Wagga-based trainer Noel Carrol.

With his weight back under control, Boyd began his career as a professional jockey with a bang, securing a winner for Victorian-trainer Brian Cox in his first day at the track.

However after a number of months, Boyd decided to move home to Victoria.

“Having a wife and two kids that far away from our family was quite a struggle,” he said.

“I’d never lived away from Victoria myself and was a bit homesick. Also, most of my rides were coming from Victorian trainers. My heart was always set on being a Victorian jockey, so with that in mind, we decided to return home at try our luck in the home-state.”

Boyd returned to Victoria and joined Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program (AJTP) as a first-year apprentice in January, 2015.

The 28-year-old admitted going back to school was a daunting challenge, but that it was the best thing he has done for his career.

“It’s amazing the opportunity we’re given here in Victoria through the (AJTP) program,” he said.

“Not only do we have great quality coaches, but to doing the personal training side of things I find incredibly valuable for now and later on down the track.”

Boyd will make his return to professional race riding on Saturday at Werribee, where he was been given a ride by his employer, Danny O’Brien and fellow Flemington-trainer, Mark Kavanagh.

And while he will no doubt be angling to return a winner, Boyd said he was just happy to be given the opportunity to resume chasing a dream he’d had since he was a child.

“I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face when I got the call telling me I had got a ride,” he said.

“To be given an opportunity by people like Mark Kavanagh and Danny O’Brien is just amazing, I’m really grateful for the chance they’ve given me and to be finally getting back to the races.”

By Daniel Miles - @DanielMiles90

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2015 at 9:31am

Egan unleashes newest apprentice

James Tzaferis https://www.twitter.com/Jtzaf" rel="nofollow - @Jtzaf
2 April, 2015

Mitch Aitken, pictured here at last year's AJTP induction with Greg Carpenter and Chad Schofield

Gerald Egan is not one for hyperbole.

Of very few words, the veteran Mansfield trainer prefers to let his horses do the talking on the track. The same can be said for the jockeys whose early careers he helps nurture, for as much as Egan trains horses, his reputation for conditioning young riders is unrivalled in Victoria.

Egan’s stable has doubled as a classroom for Group 1 winners Luke Nolen and Nick Hall, and is the current home of reigning Victorian Apprentice Premiership winner Jye McNeil.

On Saturday, his latest apprentice to the track, 17-year-old Mitch Aitken, begins his professional career with four rides at Kerang’s non-TAB Cup meeting.

“We’re not in a hurry because he’s small and light so he’s got plenty of time to develop and improve,” Egan said.

“In saying that, he’s had a good grounding and he goes to the track on Saturday in good stead.”

A “good grounding” is a fair assessment. Before being inducted into Racing Victoria’s (RV) Apprentice Jockey Training Program (AJTP) in January 2014 and relocating to Mansfield, Aitken had been taught the ropes by his father, former jockey Ron Aitken.

The last 18 months have seen the teenager mix his time at Egan’s with monthly AJTP classes, where he has been under the watchful eye of leading industry educators, training providers and mentors.

“Dad taught me how to ride as a kid and then he sent me to Mansfield and Gerald has polished me off,” Aitken said.

“He’s been a good influence and he’s taught me a lot on what the industry is all about and the things I should and shouldn’t be doing.

“Obviously there aren’t many better than Gerald to go to with questions but I’m lucky to have (RV Apprentice Jockey Coaches) Matty Hyland and Matty Pumpa and also dad to rely on as well.

“Everything’s been going well and now Gerald thinks I’m ready to start race riding and personally, I feel that I’m ready as well.”

Aitken will take rides for trainers Paul Banks, Leslie Robertson and Greg Hogan in support races on Saturday’s Cup program and will partner Jane Duncan’s veteran mare Golden Ella in the day’s feature event, the $15,000 cluBarham Kerang Cup (1800m).

In trademark Egan style, Aitken is not getting ahead of himself and is fully subscribed to his employer’s patient approach.

“I appreciate the trainers for putting me on and giving me the opportunity and I’m hopeful all of them can be in the mix,” Aitken said.

“She’s (Golden Ella) on the bottom weight which I can make with the claim and she should go well.

“She’s a horse that can lead and on such a tight track it could be one of the ones to beat.”

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: WarriSymbol
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2015 at 3:03pm

Tatura Cup win for Anthony Boyd. Going well.

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2015 at 6:18pm

This young fella came from behind to win on his Dads' horse Lardie Lass, today at Mornington today Clap

Educated and ready to go, debutant rider Ben Allen jumps aboard for his biggest test

DARYL TIMMS
Herald Sun
April 20, 2015 6:00PM

Ben Allen will make his debut as apprentice jockey at Mornington on Tuesday. Picture: Jason Sammon

SCHOOL is out for Ben Allen on Tuesday.

The 15-year-old has a far more important assignment — making his debut as apprentice jockey at Mornington.

After more than 300 unofficial trials, around 55 official trials and nearly two years riding track work at Cranbourne, he is ready for the real thing after being brought up in racing family.

The year 10 Pakenham student is apprenticed to father John Allen, who is a trainer and former amateur rider. Ben’s sister, Rachael, was also a jockey.

She was forced out of race riding after a fall, but his brother Matt is still a successful jockey.

Weighing in around 45kg, Ben has been booked for two rides for his father on Tuesday and will make his debut in the fifth race on picnic performer Stan The Man and then on Lardie Lass, ridden to a last start win by his brother.

Ben’s sister Mandy, who runs breaking and pre-training centre, will be her brother’s booking agent.

Ben Allan after winning an official trial on Prince Rahy at the new Pakenham racecourse last month. Picture: Jason Sammon

As far as nerves go, Allen’s father John doesn’t expect any when he legs-up Ben for his first ride.

“Ben would probably be the best prepared apprentice as far as anyone goes because he has had 300 trials and (Monday) morning we had jumpouts and he did nine or ten ... all the trainers use him,” Allen said.

“He has really been groomed up and he is ready to go.

“Stan the Man will probably finish in the middle of the field but he’ll give him a good feel of the track.’’

John says his two boys are competitive and Matt has already reminded Ben that Lardie Lass is a last start winner with him in the saddle victory and jokes that he’ll be watching the race from the fence, throwing stones.

Ben Allan has been building up his experience over the past two years. Picture: Jason Sammon

“But I have told him, win lose or draw, there’s always another day and it’s important to learn something from it and there’s no pressure,” John said.

Ben says there was never any doubt he’d be a jockey and recalls running around the horse in his brother’s old racing gears.

He is out of bed by 4am to arrive at the Cranbourne Training Complex track with his father about 5am to ride track work — and then there’s school.

“Normally mum (Sam Clipperton) brings my school clothes to the track and I have a shower and get changed in the toilets and go to school,” Ben said.

“I get to school about 9.30am.

“But it’s all been worth the wait and I’m really looking forward to my first ride.’’

Ben says his mother, who is related to Sydney jockey Sam Clipperton, wants him to finish year 10, but he’s hoping to bow out of school at the end of the year.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: subastral
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2015 at 6:54pm

He looked really good on his winner today. Some of the other 4kgs apprentices look dreadful, so hopefully this kid can make the grade.

Posted By: pnclick
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2015 at 7:17pm

Spot on there Sub,

Race 5 at Seymour last Sunday was a case in point!!!

Posted By: cabosanlucas
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2015 at 10:00am

good luck to all the kids, and not so kids.

three apprentices i rate:

dylan dunn. weight issues mightbe his biggest issue.

nick heywood. no surprise if he istaken on by a city stable.

m.j.dee. kiwi kid. can ride.

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 21 May 2015 at 4:04pm

Don't be frightened off Anthony Boyd rides, he's a mature age at 28, works hard for Dan O'Brien so fitness isn't a problem & is ably managed by Nadia Horne.
He presently runs at 40 rides this month for 7 winners with a 15/7 record at 'country' tracks. He rode an $18 winner today at B'rat, hanging on by a nostril, a $16 job earlier this month & picked up a short priced one for Salanitri at Moe having only gone for the one 50/1 shot so he's keen Thumbs Up

Unfortunately the latter cost him a suspension on Tues at Geelong but at least he's gone out a winner Clap

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 21 May 2015 at 7:06pm

https://twitter.com/NadiaHorne" rel="nofollow">

Nadia Horne ‏@NadiaHorne

Great effort https://twitter.com/BOYDIE_23" rel="nofollow - @BOYDIE_23 with another winner today https://twitter.com/BallTurfClub" rel="nofollow - @BallTurfClub - makes it 4 for the week!!

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Campaspe
Date Posted: 23 May 2015 at 7:57pm

Mitch Aitken rode his first winner at Wodonga today, and a few races later turned it into his first double.

Posted By: WarriSymbol
Date Posted: 23 May 2015 at 9:47pm

Rudolf Steiner wrote:

And people wonder why racing is a dead sport. Nepotism still running rampant

Why on earth, with such a low number of places available for the apprentice intake, would a place go to a 15 year old who weighs 53kg and is 185cm tall?
Stephen Brown jnr had said as he is already clearly taller than his father he doesn't believe he will get any taller.
I can just about guarantee him that from 15 to 25 he will certainly get heavier.

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 24 May 2015 at 1:09pm

Double delight for apprentice Aitken

11:59am
|Tom Biddington - https://www.twitter.com/TomBiddington" rel="nofollow - @TomBiddington

Mitch Aitken aboard Jet Zena (Photo courtesy of Slickpix)

As the saying goes ‘when it rains, it pours’ and that was certainly the case for young Victorian apprentice http://www.racing.com/jockeys/mitchell-aitken" rel="nofollow - Mitch Aitken at Wodonga on Saturday.

Coming into the meeting, the 17-year-old was still chasing his first winner after a few near misses in his first 34 rides.

But the drought was set to break and Aitken delivered a couple of outstanding efforts to not only notch his first victory, but collect a double.

“I was rapt,” he said.

“It took a while, I was (around the mark) but finally got there.”

The wins came in different fashions too, the http://www.racing.com/trainers/wayne-nichols" rel="nofollow - Wayne Nichols -prepared http://www.racing.com/horses/jet-zena" rel="nofollow - Jet Zena coming from well back while http://www.racing.com/horses/vainrite" rel="nofollow - Vainrite , who is trained by Aitken’s boss http://www.racing.com/trainers/gerald-egan" rel="nofollow - Gerald Egan , sat on the pace before kicking away to win impressively.

“It’s a big thrill (when you cross the line for your first winner),” Aitken said.

“One for the boss as well, which was very exciting.”

Aitken took plenty out of the day, one he won’t forget in a hurry, and hopes it can springboard him to more success.

“It gives you a bit more confidence and keeps you focused and I just want to do it more,” he said.

“I’ll keep listening to my boss and the all the jockey coaches and everyone else who is supporting me.

“I’m taking a lot out of it all.”

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: The Insider
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 5:06am

WarriSymbol wrote:

Rudolf Steiner wrote:

And people wonder why racing is a dead sport. Nepotism still running rampant

No problem with the kid getting a chance, however it should not be at the expense of another young person who misses out. Maybe increase the intake numbers because good kids are missing out.

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 4:25pm

Third-time lucky as apprentice Anthony Boyd chases career in saddle

MICHAEL MANLEY
HERALD SUN
JUNE 04, 2015 8:00PM

Jockey Anthony Boyd returns to scale after winning aboard Smokin Hoaks at Ballarat. Picture: Mark Dadswell

ANTHONY Boyd is the odd rider out in the first-year intake of Victorian apprentices.

Boyd, 28, married and a father of three, has had to overcome a lack of self-belief, weight problems, a battle with depression and doors being shut in his face to pursue his childhood dream.

He has also had two previous careers as a jockey — one as a picnic rider and another as an apprentice in NSW.

Boyd started his third incarnation almost three months ago and since then he’s ridden 14 winners including success in the Tatura Cup.

He’s ridden three winners this week at Ballarat and Hamilton and has 14 rides over the three-day Swan Hill carnival, which kicks off on Friday.

Boyd, who decided he wanted to be a jockey when he was eight, is the nephew of successful country jockey John Hunter and his stepfather, Neil Boyd, was a pre-trainer and breaker at Ballarat.

Apprentice jockey Anthony Boyd when he was 77kg and now at 52kg.

Boyd began track riding at Ballarat aged 12 and wanted to become a jockey but was told by several trainers that he was too big.

He left Ballarat and joined trainer Ricky Maund at Phillip Island when he was 18 and took out a licence as a picnic meeting jockey, riding on the circuit for five years and notching 30 winners before giving it away.

Boyd was also riding trackwork for trainer Danny O’Brien but, when his weight ballooned to 78kg, he had to stop.

“I was in a bad spot. After seeing how big I was I went on a health kick and my weight dropped to 58 kilos,” Boyd said.

Supporting his family as a trackwork jockey was difficult so, with the support of O’Brien, Boyd decided to become an apprentice.

He missed the 2014 application window but was able to start his apprenticeship in southern NSW and he joined the Wagga stables of Wayne Carroll.

But he was on the road all the time, and Carroll eventually terminated his apprenticeship.

Boyd moved back to Melbourne and rejoined O’Brien’s operation, and after a six-month wait, he joined the Racing Victoria apprentice intake.

“I can’t thank Danny enough for his support. Also James Winks has been a great mentor to me,” Boyd said.

“My riding’s still a bit untidy but I’m improving.

“I picked up some bad habits at the picnic meetings which I’m getting rid of.”

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2015 at 2:52pm

Aitken under observation after fall

1:41pm
|Tom Biddington

Mitch Aitken (Photo courtesy of Slickpix)

Young apprentice http://www.racing.com/jockeys/mitchell-aitken" rel="nofollow - Mitch Aitken has been taken to hospital for observation after a nasty fall at Swan Hill on Sunday.

The 17-year-old took a tumble after his mount http://www.racing.com/horses/kerang-inferno" rel="nofollow - Kerang Inferno broke down badly shortly after the start of the third race.

Aitken was knocked out for a short time but regained consciousness and he was able to move all his limbs and seemed quite stable.

He was loaded into the ambulance and taken to Swan Hill District Health for observation.

Aitken, who collected his first winner at Wodonga last month, had enjoyed some success at the Swan Hill Carnival, saluting onboard http://www.racing.com/horses/jay-al-cracker" rel="nofollow - Jay Al Cracker for his boss http://www.racing.com/trainers/gerald-egan" rel="nofollow - Gerald Egan on Saturday.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 8:28am

I'm biased so my opinion's probably too skewed in his favour but geez, I thought that's a part of good riding tho' I haven't seen the stewards report as to collateral damage Wink

Apprentice Boyd fighting suspension

16 June, 2015
|Tom Biddington

Anthony Boyd aboard Dubai King (Image courtesy of Slickpix)

Apprentice http://www.racing.com/jockeys/anthony-boyd" rel="nofollow - Anthony Boyd is appealing against a suspension he received at Echuca on Monday for ‘excessively reducing the speed’.

Boyd was given a 10-meeting stint on the sidelines for his winning ride on http://www.racing.com/horses/dubai-king" rel="nofollow - Dubai King in http://www.racing.com/form/2015-06-15/echuca/race/9/results" rel="nofollow - the ninth race and he has lodged an appeal against the decision and severity of the penalty.

He originally pleaded guilty to the charge, but he has applied to amend his plea to ‘not guilty’.

The appeal will be heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board at 10.15am on Friday, June 19.

His penalty starts at midnight on Tuesday but a stay of proceedings was not required.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2015 at 10:37am

Naughty boys LOL

Darryl Sherer - 21 Jun 2015

Three Victorian apprentices have been suspended for two weeks for kicking a football indoors.

Stephen Brown, Ben Allen and Jordan Grob have been suspended for two weeks following an enquiry into an incident at the Racing Victoria training facility, which accommodates training for apprentices, last Thursday.

Evidence was also taken from Dean Cruise, an official of Racing Victoria in the presence of Ron Hall, supervisor of the apprentice jockeys.

Brown, Grob and Allen all pleaded guilty to a charge under AR175(p) for failing to comply with the direction of an official given on Thursday morning, to refrain from engaging in conduct with the use of a Sherrin football indoors.

Brown’s suspension will commence at midnight June 20 and expire at midnight July 4^.Allen’s suspension to commence at midnight June 19 and expire at midnight July 3 with Grob’s suspension to commence at midnight June 23 and to expire at midnight July 7.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2015 at 11:14am

Is this a joke???

Victoria, the laughing stock of australia.

They allow blokes who use drugs on horses to keep training, but ban three teenagers for kicking a footy.

What a load of Censored

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2015 at 12:10pm

I'm guessing they'd been told to stop more than once & as discipline doesn't start at home these days, in many cases, it has to start somewhere. As an owner &/or trainer, I'd prefer these kids had some semblance of discipline rather than taking the law into their own hands when given race riding instructions.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2015 at 2:33pm

Anthony Boyd: As pretty a ride as you'd see from anyone let alone a 3kg claimer, on Echuca R6 - 10 Liming at $16. Last to the turn over the mile, hugged the rail, took the gap in the straight & won nicely.
He explained afterwards that she needs to be ridden 'neutral' early in order to find her rhythm & breathing which enabled her to finish off, unlike her last start where she was fired out.
Only a few wins left before the claim goes & I reckon his city mounts'll be over the odds 'till more than a few catch on.
Missed his ride on the Musgrove maiden but paid $17 place.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2015 at 7:44am

Family affair as Hope claims first winner

1 November, 2015
|Tom Biddington

Tahlia Hope aboard Danvito with the white cap (Photo courtesy of Slickpix)

It was a family affair for Racing Victoria apprentice https://www.racing.com/jockeys/tahlia-hope" rel="nofollow - Tahlia Hope as she claimed her first career winner at Kilmore on Sunday.

Hope is indentured to her father and grandfather – the training combination of https://www.racing.com/trainers/lee-hope" rel="nofollow - Shannon and Lee Hope – and the win was even more special as she guided home https://www.racing.com/horses/danvito-nz" rel="nofollow - Danvito for them.

Despite being slowly away, Danvito whipped around the field shortly afterwards and Hope kept the $10 chance rolling in the straight, holding off a late challenge to prevail.

The 17-year-old couldn’t hide her delight, punching the air after she crossed the line.

Amazingly, the success came at just her second race ride with the promise of more to come.

Hope gets the chance to keep the momentum going with two more bookings for the stable at Wangaratta on Tuesday.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2015 at 7:47am

I understand it was your first winner but sitting up and flapping around like a clown is not a good look. Sit down fool

Posted By: Beliskner
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2015 at 8:01am

It was her 1st winner, your a bit harsh Shawy, kids gonna be kids.

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 6:13am

Stephanie Thornton

http://sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/11/11/michelle-payne-inspiring-new-generation-female-jockeys" rel="nofollow - http://sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/11/11/michelle-payne-inspiring-new-generation-female-jockeys

While most of her classmates are still sleeping, 16-year-old Stephanie Thornton is at the racecourse.

A first-year apprentice jockey with lofty ambitions, her debut on the track was on the same day another female jockey - Michelle Payne - was making history.

"I'm going to win the 2020 Melbourne Cup,” she said. “It's every jockey's dream to win the Melbourne Cup and to see a female win it was without a doubt a very historic moment.”

But first she has to finish high school. This week Stephanie is cramming for Year 12 exams, taking VCE subjects a year ahead in the hopes of graduating early so that she can devote more time to racing in what is an increasingly competitive field in Victoria.

"We have over 50 apprentices so ideally you need to go out there and ride the best you can every time, because if you make a mistake trainers have other options because there are so many jockeys," she said.

The third child of trainer http://glennthorntonracing.com.au/" rel="nofollow - Glenn Thornton , her two older brothers are also jockeys.

Although a male-dominated sport, Mr Thornton said he doesn't expect Stephanie to be any less successful than her brothers.

"Some horses actually run a lot better for girls and no one could deny that,” he said. “But you look at your Hughey Bowmans, they're not there to hustle and bustle a horse, it's all about how you relate to your horse, and how you control them with your hands.”

And considering Racing Victoria's 2015 crop of first-and-second-year apprentices was more than 50 per cent female, it's clear gender isn't an issue.

Training three days a month in Flemington, graduates also earn certificates in fitness and racing.

Racing Victoria chief executive Bernard Saundry said the goal was to ensure apprentices had a successful career on and off the racetrack.

"We want to provide a safe working environment, we want to make sure their welfare is looked and also to make sure they're well rounded individuals,” he said. “To ensure they've got enough development and expertise to not only enjoy their careers in racing buy to ensure they have a career after racing."

The four-year apprentice program teaches everything from athletic development to business, to prepare students for all aspects of life as a jockey.

Stephanie Thornton said there's more involved in racing than just riding horses.

"It's certainly not just, 'Get in the car and go to the races and do what you have to do'. In all honesty there's everything behind the scenes. You pretty much run your own business. You are your own business."

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2015 at 9:45am

School is out for graduating apprentices

10:44am

School is officially out for nine Victorian apprentice jockeys who successfully graduated from Racing Victoria’s (RV) Apprentice Jockey Training Program (AJTP) in a ceremony held at Moonee Valley Racecourse last night.

The graduation ceremony was a fitting finale to the talented group’s training at RV, with each young athlete graduating with a Certificate IV in Racing (Jockey) as well as a Certificate III in Fitness.

The AJTP aims to develop professional athletes for an international career in the racing industry and is conducted with partners including the Victorian Institute of Sport and Exercise Research Australia.

Apprentices were put through their paces under the watchful eye of RV’s Jockey Coaches, retired jockey Matthew Pumpa and former Victorian trainer Matthew Hyland; Jockey Wellbeing and Safety Officer, Ron Hall; and Athlete Development and Industry Careers Advisor, Melissa Weatherley.

Specialist skill delivery in race riding and performance analysis, sports science and nutrition, media and business skills are also provided throughout the course to ensure individuals are well equipped for both their time in the saddle and pursuits in their life after racing.

RV Chief Executive, Bernard Saundry, congratulated the graduating class of 2015 and said he was confident their success on the racetrack would continue as they progress throughout their career in the industry.

“On behalf of the entire industry, I’d like to congratulate these nine apprentices on completing their formal studies as part of Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program,” Saundry said.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch these young jockeys flourish throughout the four years of their formal training, both in the classroom at Racing Victoria and out on the track where they have each experienced success already.

“Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program is globally recognised as a world-leading high performance program, and I’m confident that it has helped equip these athletes with the requisite skills to become stars of the saddle, and more importantly, well-rounded and respected individuals off the track in all aspects of their lives.”

Two coveted awards, the Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) Outstanding Apprentice Jockey and the Andrew Gilbert Principles of Sports Science Award, were also presented on the night.

The Outstanding Apprentice Jockey Award was presented to Patrick Moloney, a winner of more than 220 races, including 83 metropolitan meetings, who is the only jockey of his class to achieve the rare feat of out-riding both his provincial and metropolitan claim.

The 22-year-old who made his race-riding debut in July 2012, also displayed exemplary testing results with Exercise Research Australia (ERA and was awarded the Principles of Sports Science Award, named in honour of Victorian apprentice Andrew Gilbert who tragically lost his life in a race fall at Benalla in 2001.

The 2015 graduating class is as follows:

- Chris Caserta: The 20-year-old is apprenticed to trainer Wez Hunter at Mornington and rode 22 winners during his time in the AJTP;

- Jordan Childs: The 19-year-old is apprenticed to trainer Patrick Payne at Plumpton and rode 145 winners during his time in the AJTP;

- Michael Dee: The New Zealand-born 19-year-old is apprenticed to trainer Mick Price at Caulfield and has ridden 54 winners since joining the AJTP at the start of 2015;

- Jack Martin: The 20-year-old is apprenticed to Pat Carey at Mornington and rode 26 winners during his time in the AJTP;

- Patrick Moloney: The 22-year-old is apprenticed to his father, trainer Gerard Moloney, at Caulfield and rode 220 winners during his time in the AJTP;

- Samantha Noble: The 20-year-old is apprenticed to her father, trainer Steven Noble at Seymour, and rode 12 winners during her time in the AJTP;

- Jessica Payne: The 23-year-old is apprenticed to trainer Greg Eurell at Cranbourne and rode 63 winners during her time in the AJTP;

- Nathan Punch: The 20-year-old is apprenticed to trainer Robbie Griffiths at Cranbourne and has ridden 6 career wins to date;

- Brooke Sweeney: The 20-year-old is apprenticed to Wangaratta trainer John Ledger and has ridden 66 career wins to date

All nine jockeys will remain apprentices for a period lasting four years from their race debut, with options available to extend this.

A new crop of prospective apprentice jockeys will begin AJTP classes at RV next month where they will be officially inducted.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2015 at 4:41pm

Cartwright debuts

3:51pm

Fresh from celebrating the graduation of nine students from its Apprentice Jockey Training Program, Racing Victoria (RV) will welcome the newest member of its riding fraternity to the racetrack this weekend. Victorian apprentice Georgina Cartwright is set to make her race riding debut at Bendigo on Sunday afternoon – 24 hours later than expected.

The 22-year-old from Albury was originally set to partner two horses for trainer Jamie Edwards – to whom she is apprenticed – on at Colac tomorrow but due to the extreme hot weather predicted across the state the meeting was today abandoned.

“It was a bit disappointing because I was set for my first ride for my stable on Saturday but I’m still really happy that I have another ride on Sunday for Stephen Brown,” Cartwright said.

“I wasn’t expecting to ride until early next year but I got a bit more experience under my belt than what I thought and I’m looking forward to Sunday.

“I’ll be pretty nervous on the day but once I get riding out the gates I’m hoping it will just be like trials.”

Cartwright, whose older brother Josh was a top Victorian apprentice now riding in Adelaide, said she is looking forward to making riding a family affair.

“Josh really wanted to come and ride with me on Sunday but he had commitments at race meetings in Adelaide.We’re going to have a competition between us once I start riding and we’ll make it competitive,” Cartwright said.

With just 16 months between the pair, Cartwright will be eagerly awaiting her brother’s advice when she rides aboard nine-year-old gelding Canali in race 7 on Sunday.

“He’s helped me a lot with my riding. I normally speak to him on a daily basis and ask him little questions about what sort of gear I should buy and that sort of thing. He watches my trials and he can be a pretty harsh critic but I’d prefer him to be straight up, because it’s all constructive.”

Cartwright has just completed her first year in RV’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2015 at 3:04pm

Sweeney rides a quartet at Albury

Luke Sheehan

Apprentice Brooke Sweeney showed she has no trouble at all handling the heat, chalking up a stunning quartet of winners at Albury on Saturday.

With all Victorian meetings called off on Saturday due to forecast scorching temperatures, Sweeney – apprenticed to Wangaratta horseman John Ledger – crossed the border to New South Wales with perfect results.

The 21-year-old, who graduated from Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program on Thursday, went four-from-four on Saturday, including riding three winners for father and trainer Phil Sweeney

Sweeney kicked off her remarkable day when steering Gentleman Charlie ($61) to his maiden win, with the Hard Spun gelding having finished last at Echuca in his only previous start.

After causing the upset, Sweeney then saluted on equal favourites Tolstoy ($4) and Me And You ($5), before making it a race-to-race-to-race treble when getting home punters’ choice Our Project ($3.80).

It was clearly a personal-best effort in any one day of racing for Sweeney, whose previous best was riding a double.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2015 at 6:00pm

Did You See - Georgina Cartwright...

4:30pm
|Ben Asgari - https://www.twitter.com/BenAsgariRacing" rel="nofollow - @BenAsgariRacing

Georgina Cartwright after her maiden win

It was a memorable day at Warrnambool for apprentice jockey https://www.racing.com/jockeys/georgina-cartwright" rel="nofollow - Georgina Cartwright who recorded her first victory aboard https://www.racing.com/horses/rose-of-texas" rel="nofollow - Rose of Texas at only her sixth start.

The 22-year-old, who is the older sister of fellow apprentice Josh Cartwright, secured the maiden triumph in the aptly named https://www.racing.com/form/2015-12-27/warrnambool/race/6/results" rel="nofollow - Michael Lucas Accounting Handicap after which she revealed her decision to pursue a career in the saddle actually followed a brief period as an accountant.

“When I finished school four years ago I studied accounting but that was a bit boring so I decided to ride a bit of trackwork while I was working in my accounting job and I loved it,” Cartwright said.

“I also saw my brother riding plenty of winners so I decided to get into the apprentice program.

“I suppose you could say that (Josh inspired me) but I’d like to be better than him!

“I only had my first ride last week so I was pretty happy to get the win for (trainer) https://www.racing.com/trainers/alan-hunter" rel="nofollow - Alan Hunter who I ride lots of outside for and it’s a credit to him for getting this horse ready.”

Hunter said he came to the races confident the horse could win and was thrilled to have provided Cartwright with her first winner.

“Georgie’s just been sensational. She’s done 99% of the trackwork this campaign and she deserves the reward," Hunter said.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Nocturnal
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2015 at 7:21pm

What a great interview later in the day with Adom O . Infectious personality

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The only problem with backing winners ? You never have enough on....

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 10:34am

Boyd's belated Christmas gift

10:05am
|Daniel Miles - https://www.twitter.com/DanielMiles90" rel="nofollow - @DanielMiles90

Anthony Boyd returns to scale victorious on Dubai King

Santa Claus may have left his run a little bit late, but mature age apprentice Anthony Boyd certainly isn’t complaining.

The 29-year-old first-year apprentice received a belated Christmas present from Old Saint Nick on Monday morning, which arrived in the form of a phone call from Flemington trainer Tommy Hughes.

Hughes was hoping to engage a three-kilogram claiming apprentice to partner his promising pair Gold Cufflinks and Mister Miyagi at William Hill Park (Sandown) on Wednesday.

It took Boyd less than a millisecond to accept the opportunity.

The Hughes-trained pair will provide the young rider the chance to achieve a life-long dream and make his metropolitan race riding debut.

Few apprentices have taken as dramatic a path to success as Boyd.

“Two years ago, if you had told me I’d be riding at Sandown I would have laughed,” he said.

“I was 78 kilograms, a track rider and basically raising two kids on a track riders wage, so things were pretty tough.

“I’d have never dreamt of having my first ride at Sandown a couple of years down the track - I thought that opportunity had well-and-truly passed me by.”

A swift reality check courtesy of a home video — coupled with the constant support of his wife, and his employer, trainer Danny O’Brien — inspired the father of two to lose a bit of weight.

That bit turned into a lot, and within a matter of months, Boyd stripped down to a lean 52 kilograms. His transformation reinvigorated his life and career.

On Wednesday Boyd will make his metropolitan debut alongside the likes of Damien Oliver, Dwayne Dunn and Mark Zahra, and said his decade-long stint as a track rider had prepared him for what otherwise would have been an overwhelming occasion.

“It’ll be great. Just to ride work with them was a big thing, and I’ve always had a lot of respect for them,” he said.

“I’ve ridden with them for the past 10 years at Flemington and have built some really good relationships over that time.

“That being said, I’ve ben riding competitively against most senior jockeys around (since making my Victorian debut in March) and feel comfortable going to town. To improve you need to ride against the best and I feel prepared for it.”

As for his mission on Wednesday, Boyd will walk into the jockeys’ rooms with an air of confidence.

Mister Miyagi put in a much-improved effort at William Hill Park (Lakeside) last-time out and Gold Cufflinks, though drawn wide, will improve second-up from a freshen-up.

However Boyd has one clear goal for his first race ride.

“The main aim there will be to beat the master’s horse home if I can, Skulduggery,” Boyd said with a laugh.

“His horse goes well, but from barrier one it looks like I should get an ideal run on Mister Miyagi and hopefully I’ll be finishing over the top of them.”

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 10:54am

Cartwright makes the right call

10:29am
|Andrew Eddy

Georgina Cartwright (Image courtesy of Todds Photographics)

https://www.racing.com/jockeys/georgina-cartwright" rel="nofollow - Georgina Cartwright’s belated decision to pursue a career as a jockey paid immediate dividends when she https://www.racing.com/form/2015-12-27/warrnambool/race/6/results" rel="nofollow - won her first race at just her sixth ride at Warrnambool on Sunday. But now it’s down to business for the 22-year-old.

Cartwright, who is an older sister to fellow apprentice Josh, will chase her next winner at one of Victoria’s smallest tracks in one of its smaller towns when she rides at Burrumbeet on Friday before crossing the border to ride at Naracoorte in South Australia on Monday.

The apprentice hit the headlines last Sunday after her maiden win as she lived out a belated dream to become a jockey. She explained that the dream didn’t enter her head until Josh started riding some winners while she was studying to become an accountant.

‘’When I finished school, I decided to start an accounting degree. Maths I enjoyed and business – so I thought the two were basically accounting. Then I thought ‘this is a bit boring’ after I’d had two years of it.” Cartwright told Matt Stewart on Racing.com’s Racing Ahead on RSN.

‘’Just the office life didn’t suit me. I didn’t so much mind the work but just sitting in an office all day when I could have been riding horses.’’

Cartwright said riding horses soon became addictive. ‘’I just decided to ride track work – just a couple of horses a morning to learn and then I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I was at work in meetings.

‘’I remember the first time I did evens (15 seconds for every 200 metres), I was that excited. It was only evens but that’s all I could think about for the rest of the day.’’

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: tillyras
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 10:46am

Apprentice jockey charged over bet

By https://www.punters.com.au/about/james-lamb/" rel="nofollow - James Lamb https://plus.google.com/u/0/118182846922206684517?rel=author" rel="nofollow - Wednesday at 11:41am Liam Riordan will front the RAD Board next Tuesday

Liam Riordan will front the RAD Board next Tuesday

Apprentice jockey Liam Riordan faces two charges in relation to a $20 bet he placed at the Woolamai picnic race meeting on Saturday, April 9 this year.

Riordan will appear before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board next Tuesday morning.

The 18-year-old jockey has been charged with breaching AR 86(c) which states that "Every jockey or apprentice may be penalised: (c) If he bet, or facilitates the making of, or has any interest in a bet on any race or contingency relating to thoroughbred racing."

Riordan has also been accused of breaking AR 175(g): "Any person who gives at any interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing and/or appeal any evidence which is false and/or misleading in any particular."

The apprentice hoop made his riding debut on March 3 this year and booted home his first winner at non-TAB meeting Deniliquin on Anzac Day.

Posted By: James
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 10:56am

Using the timescale precedent from Olivers suspension he will be outed for approximately half a day.

Posted By: Beliskner
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 10:59am

I'd imagine the 2nd charge would be more of a concern then the first one, if he hasn't bet on a race he was involved him.

Posted By: Spearmint
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 11:28am

So this jockey has a $20 bet at a picnic meeting that he does not even ride at!!

Someone has seen him and reports him and it becomes big news. He denies it as most kids would nd he is also charged with being a liar.

Bloody hell, he should have been taken aside at the apprentices school and rapped over the knuckles and told it was wrong, don't do it again or your career is in jeopardy and leave it at that.

Let's hope the stewards just give the kid a rap over the knuckles and use it as a warning to other jockeys that they can not bet on thoroughbred horse races anywhere

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"Nothing in the world is so powerful as an idea whose time has come"

Posted By: Beliskner
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 11:32am

Is it really that hard to get a family member to put a bet on for you?

My dad is in his 60's and barely bets, if he ever see's a horse he follows racing on a Saturday he rings me, takes less then a minute.

Posted By: James
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 12:17pm

Four weeks for young Liam. Didn't deserve the kitchen sink so will learn quickly and move on hopefully.

Posted By: WarriSymbol
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2016 at 10:59am

WarriSymbol wrote:

Rudolf Steiner wrote:

And people wonder why racing is a dead sport. Nepotism still running rampant

From RVL stewards.
Jockey Weight: 03-10-2016 Echuca - Race 8 - Apprentice S Brown has altered his minimum riding weight for this meeting to 57.5kg.

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 9:14am

Victorian apprentices saddle up for UK experience

Racing Victoria Staff https://www.twitter.com/RacingInsider" rel="nofollow - @RacingInsider

Victorian apprentice jockeys Stephanie Thornton and Melissa Julius will gain invaluable experience riding track work for two of the UK’s biggest racing stables next month after being selected for coveted scholarship positions.

The pair, who are part of Racing Victoria’s (RV) Apprentice Jockey Training Program, will be given the unique development opportunity as part of the International Federation of Horse Racing Authority’s (IFHRA) Racing Scholarship Fund, which is supported by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival.

The Racing Scholarship Fund allows young, talented riders from IFHRA member bodies to gain invaluable experience to further their careers in the racing industry with international work and riding placements.

Thornton, who has ridden 33 winners since beginning her riding career in November 2015, will spend three weeks with Newmarket-based horseman Ed Dunlop, a trainer well known to Australian racing fans via the deeds of popular stayer Red Cadeaux.

Thornton said: “It’ll be great to see the different way of training and will provide me with a fantastic opportunity to experience racing on the other side of the world with a leading trainer like Ed Dunlop.”

Julius, who has ridden 35 career winners including a metropolitan victory on debut in January, will also spend three weeks in Newmarket with Luca Cumani, a trainer that has prepared Group 1 champions Presvis, Starcraft and Falbrav.

Julius said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be presented with an opportunity to travel to Newmarket and ride for one of the world’s most successful trainers in Luca Cumani and I don’t think it’ll feel real until I’m actually over there.”

Jockey Melissa Julius after winning at her first attempt in metro grade (Image: Racing Photos)

RV’s Athlete Development and Industry Careers Advisor Melissa Weatherley said she was delighted that Thornton and Julius could continue the recent trend that has seen Victorian apprentices ride overseas.

“We are extremely grateful for the generous support of the IFHRA and the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival, which has paved the way for Stephanie and Melissa to take up this exciting scholarship,” she said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for both young women and one I’m sure they will take great benefit from, just as Ben Thompson, Regan Bayliss, Jessica Payne and others have done in recent years.”

Thornton and Julius will depart Melbourne on Monday, 6 March.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Magnolian Khan
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2017 at 5:35pm

Just noticed young apprentice Juana Andreou had couple of rides at the hurdle trials today. Apparently she's going to get her jumps license this season as well as still riding on the flat

Posted By: Magnolian Khan
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2017 at 1:53pm

A victorian jockey has been stood down by stewards indefinitely after an irregularity urine sample was taken at the end of May.

Jockey Mitch Aitken has been stood down by stewards after a urine sample taken at Seymour on 24th May returned an irregular reading.

Posted By: SkyDancer
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2017 at 4:15pm

Mitch Aitken will spend the next three months on the sidelines after Racing Victoria stewards suspended the young apprentice on Thursday for returning a positive test to a banned substance.

Aitken was stood down earlier this month after a urine test he provided at the Seymour Training Centre on May 24 returned an irregularity, which was later confirmed to be a banned substance under AR81B.

The 19-year-old can return to track riding once he provides a clean urine sample but will be absent from form guides until the spring with the ban ending on 8 September.

Aitken, who was on loan to Lindsay Park prior to being stood down, has ridden 27 winners this season, including six in Melbourne.

It is unknown what the banned substance was.

Posted By: Magnolian Khan
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2017 at 6:40pm

Apprentice jockey Jess Eaton will make her metro riding debut on Wednesday.

Eaton, who is currently serving her apprenticeship under Terry and Karina O'Sullivan at Stawell, is booked aboard Eclat for Patrick Ryan in the Thebigscreencompany.com.au Handicap (1600m) at Ladbrokes Park Lakeside.

The 23-year-old has ridden 32 winners in her career to date, and is eligible to claim 3kg in town, which would take Eclat's weight carried down to 51kg in the Benchmark 70.

She rode four-year-old mare Eclat last start at Casterton, when narrowly beaten in a 1400m 0-58.

Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2017 at 10:54am

Apprentices Brandon Stockdale and Mitch Aitken have had their privileges to race-ride suspended until next Monday for misconduct.

Stockdale will be permitted to fulfil riding engagements he was already committed to at Sandown on Wednesday and Mornington on Thursday before beginning his punishment and will be sidelined until Monday along with Aitken, who had no rides booked for either of those meetings.

In an incident that occurred on Monday, which was the final day for the fourth-year apprentices as part of Racing Victoria's Apprentice Jockey Training Program, Stockdale and Aitken displayed an 'unsatisfactory demeanour and attitude' toward a tutor.

Stockdale and Aitken appeared before a stewards' inquiry on Tuesday at Moe after an official complaint was lodged, with Chief Steward Darren Triandafillou reinforcing to them that they must present and conduct themselves in the right manner at all times no matter where they are.

Apprentice mentor Darren Gauci admitted the two boys were simply 'kids being kids' but also stated the program is an important tool to help apprentices progress with their careers, and conduct must remain at a high standard while they attend in order to become a good rider and also a good person.

Posted By: Carioca
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2017 at 11:07am

Darren summed it up as it should be,...councilling anyone lol,...fair dinkum.

Posted By: cabosanlucas
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2017 at 11:31am

I wonder if a young & curious apprentice has ever raised the topic of hooking one at apprentice school. serious. not thinking about the implications, but a wet behind the ears kid might just blurt it out without thought...or a kid might have strong values of honesty etc and genuinely want to know. im sure no kid learning the trade has not heard about such conduct in the riding ranks.

Id love to hear the response from the ex jockey who has to answer

Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2017 at 10:15am

Brooke Sweeney now a senior rider. (As of today)

Posted By: horseshoe
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2018 at 2:21pm

Jordan Grob rode his 1st NZ winner today, currently with Tony Pike

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Those who know don't tell, Those who tell don't know

Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2018 at 3:05pm

Good young kid, thanks for the updates. Spent a bit of time down here at Geelong.

Posted By: early4lunch
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 4:10pm

the apprentices are so good now that soon senior riders will struggle to survive.

Posted By: Carioca
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 7:19pm

Wall to Wall racing, mate they have never had it so good, upwards of $200a ride, Plenty were driving taxi's in my younger days with about 1/4 of the meetings they have today.
54kg limit in a lot of racing to day , have a look at most of them, little pocket dynamo's,on a 44kg limit , that's when the going got tough, today..........luxury mate.

Posted By: Carioca
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 8:24pm

The above post was in reference to jockey's.

Posted By: crooked_gambler
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2019 at 10:27am

Emerging South Australian-based apprentice Kayla Crowther will make the bold move to be based at Pakenham as of next week.

Crowther who had a break out season in 2017/18 will be on loan to former South Australian-based trainer Phillip Stokes for three months.

In season 2016/17 Kayla rode 13 winners, but in 2017/18 she improved dramatically riding 79 winners and placing on a further 126 occasions.

This improvement was recognised on and off the track. Crowther gained her first Group 1 ride in the 2018 Goodwood Handicap at Morphettville and was awarded the South Australian Junior Sports Star of the Year Award.

The move will see Crowther ride against some of the best jockeys in Australia, but Stokes is confident that she’ll be able to hold her own.

“She has a lovely relaxed style, she’s well balanced and most importantly she’s a patient rider,” Stokes mentioned.

“We wanted to get her over before the carnival so that she can have plenty of opportunities and feel comfortable out there”.

Speaking at Bordertown yesterday, Crowther couldn’t hide her excitement about the move.

“It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m very grateful that Phillip and his team are allowing me to move and learn against some of the best,” she said.

“The facilities are amazing at Pakenham and I can’t wait to get involved and work hard”.

Stokes who recently made the move to Pakenham from South Australia said he hopes the move will as positive for her as it has been for him.

“The Pakenham facilities are unbelievable, our horses have certainly improved and they’re enjoying working on the quality surface here,” he discussed.

“My son Tommy is currently working there while I’m at the Gold Coast sales and he’s blown away with the set-up.”

While still settling in, Stokes said he’s been fortunate enough to have plenty of jockeys interested in riding track work and riding for him on race day.

“Regan Bayliss and Dylan Dunn have been coming out and helping us regularly and we’ve had plenty of interest in our runners from some of the leading jockeys in the state which is always positive,” he said.

Stokes has been active at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Sales purchasing two yearlings and he is hoping to acquire a few more before the sale ends.

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This space has been intentionally left blank

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2019 at 6:50pm

New RV apprentices get started 2019

Racing.com Staff https://www.twitter.com/Racing" rel="nofollow - @Racing

14 March, 2019

Six female and four male aspiring riders were on Thursday inducted into Racing Victoria's Apprentice Jockey Training Program, all aiming to become the next stars of the saddle.

The 10 budding hoops include three teenagers whose fathers are Group 1-winning jockeys: Jaden Lloyd, whose father Jeff has dominated Queensland's racing circuit for the past two decades; Will Price, whose dad Simon will ride South Australian raider Balf's Choice in the $5 million All-Star Mile at Flemington this Saturday; and Campbell Rawiller, whose father Nash and uncle Brad have won multiple races at the elite level.

Lloyd, who at 17 is the youngest of the trio, will be indentured to the Lindsay Park stable at Flemington; 19-year-old Price will start his apprenticeship under the watchful eye of his uncle, Ballarat-based trainer Dan O'Sullivan; and Mornington horseman Logan McGill will take Rawiller, 18, under his wing.

The three will be joined in the AJTP by seven other apprentices who will also aim to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Craig Williams, Beau Mertens, Ben Allen and Steph Thornton, who have all graduated from the elite program.

Laura Lafferty, 20, will combine her university studies with her apprenticeship with esteemed Cranbourne trainer, Mick Kent.

The keen athlete, who regularly competes in domestic triathlon competitions, comes from a racing background, with dad Peter a former jockey and her grandfather Kevin - who has a hurdle race named after him at Warrnambool - a renowned trainer.

Carleen Hefel, 29, has been riding trackwork and in trials and jumpouts for several years, and will now begin her apprenticeship in Pakenham under trainer Julien Welsh.

In addition to Rawiller, three other apprentices will also be based at stables in Mornington: Kiran Quilty (Shane Nichols), Celine Gaudry (Pat Carey) and Matthew Cartwright (Lyn Tolson).

Cartwright is the youngest of the recruits, but the 16-year-old comes from sound racing bloodlines with his father Rikki an accomplished jockey and his grandmother (Tolson) running a small stable on the peninsula.

Similarly, Quilty's father, Cameron, recorded more than 200 career victories in the saddle, and his 18-year-old daughter has already showed some riding prowess with a number of equestrian awards to her name.

Kayla Atkinson, an 18-year-old who will commence her apprenticeship with her mother, Kilmore trainer Alicia Macpherson, and 25-year-old Emily Brown, who will be based at Matthew Williams' stables in Warrnambool, round out the class of 2019 who will spend the next four years honing their race riding skills under RV Apprentice Jockey Coaches Darren Gauci and Matt Pumpa.

The new intake will also receive specialist guidance from an expert team of physical trainers, nutritionists, physiotherapists and sports psychologists, who will give them the best possible chance of reaching the top of the jockey ranks.

"The first day of the jockey program is always an exciting one for the new apprentices and their families, as they embark on a journey which we hope will lead to a successful career in the saddle," said Greg Carpenter, RV's Executive General Manager - Racing.

"Over the next four years, these 10 aspiring young riders will learn every facet of what it takes to become an elite jockey in one of the country's most competitive sporting environments.

"It is again heartening to see a large percentage of female riders joining the AJTP, this continues the trend we have seen in recent years and I'm sure the success achieved by Michelle Payne, Steph Thornton and most recently by Jamie Kah since she moved to Melbourne will inspire even more young girls to enrol in the program."

The full list of apprentices joining the AJTP and their trainers is as follows:

Laura Lafferty (Michael Kent);

Carleen Hefel (Julien Welsh);

Kiran Quilty (Shane Nichols);

Celine Gaudry (Pat Carey);

Campbell Rawiller (Logan McGill);

Will Price (Dan O'Sullivan);

Kayla Atkinson (Alicia Macpherson);

Emily Brown (Matthew Williams);

Jaden Lloyd (Team Hayes); and

Matthew Cartwright (Lyn Tolson).

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Xavier
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2019 at 4:38pm

Congrats to Maddi Lloyd and Logan McNeil who both rode their first winner today at the Deniliquin meeting.

Maddi rode one for her boss Nathan Hobson whilst Logan (younger brother of Jye) rode his for Graham Salisbury (Subzero’s best mate)

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Karl and Susan Kennedy are my heroes

Posted By: Red Hare
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 6:05am

I see RV are taking expressions of interest for an Apprentice Jockey Coach. Probably just a formality, rather than Gauci getting the flick.

Posted By: Straight arrow
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 8:43am

Can't see why Gauci is getting flick as you put it! Been excellent in his position . Probably another assistant?

Posted By: Campaspe
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 9:20am

Replacement for Matt Pumpa who's moving to Singapore.

Posted By: Carioca
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 9:48am

Darren's an asset for RV imo, a gentleman and a true professional, I would be very surprised if he were moved sideways unless it was his doing.

Posted By: Xavier
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 9:50am

Gauch is doing a fabulous job with the young kids.
Just like Darren Murphy (previously used to work for Weir) is doing in SA

Both of them know their stuff!

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Karl and Susan Kennedy are my heroes

Posted By: tillyras
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 9:52am

The job is for his assistant

Posted By: Batman
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 5:59pm

Xavier wrote:

Gauch is doing a fabulous job with the young kids.
Just like Darren Murphy (previously used to work for Weir) is doing in SA

Both of them know their stuff!

Darren M could always teach them how to set one up for a punt

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�Gambling has brought our family closer together. We had to move to a smaller house.�

Posted By: Straight arrow
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 10:43pm

How do you do that Batman?

Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2019 at 12:56pm

Just a couple of updates:

Jaden Lloyd (Son of Jeff) rode his first winner yesterday at Jerilderie

Campbell Rawiller(son of Nash, nephew of Brad) had his first rides yesterday at Jerilderie

Will Price (son of Simon) has his first rides today at Coleraine for his boss (and uncle) Dan O Sullivan

Posted By: early4lunch
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2019 at 2:46pm

You used to get a good apprentice, now they are all good The next issue will be keeping the senior riders in a job

Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2019 at 3:04pm

Campbell Rawiller gets his first winner today at Moe on $31 pop Girl on a Train

Posted By: Batman
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2019 at 3:07pm

Fantastic for the young lad.

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�Gambling has brought our family closer together. We had to move to a smaller house.�

Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2019 at 9:12am

Laura Lafferty knew she had made a big call when she knocked back a track and field scholarship to college in the United States.

It was an opportunity any number of kids who, like her, grew up fanatical for athletics would dream of.

Her dilemma was it was not her only love. Lafferty, the daughter of a trainer and granddaughter of a Warrnambool racing legend, was equally keen on horses.

When the crunch came, it was racing that won out.

"I had ambitions to go to the Commonwealth Games before I got into the Racing Victoria intake," the first-year member of the RV apprentice school said.

"It was between the scholarship or apprenticeship and it was only quite late that I made my decision actually.

"I've been riding for as long as I can remember and was always a keen runner and I did a bit of both for a very long time, but it's hard to excel in both sports. They both obviously take up a lot of time and it got to a point where I had to choose between the two."

The best example yet that she made the right call will come at Bendigo on Thursday when she makes her debut in the Roll The Dice BM64 Handicap (2200m), three days before her 21st birthday.

Lafferty, who has the advantage of a 4kg claim, rides 60kg topweight Golden Flag, an $18 chance with BetEasy, and doesn't have to look too far down the field to realise she is now in the big time.

Immediately below Golden Flag is Queen Leonora, who will be ridden by Melbourne Cup winner Brett Prebble, with Hall of Famer Damien Oliver (Diamond Bow) and Michael Walker (So Belafonte) on numbers three and four.

"We were talking on Tuesday, when the acceptances came out, that Brett Prebble, Damien Oliver and Michael Walker were all in the race," Lafferty said.

"It's very nerve-wracking, but I guess you have to start somewhere and I've probably been thrown in the deep end a little bit, but I'll just take in my stride and only improvement can come from it.

"It's exciting. Hopefully I can give the horse every chance and just have fun. Once I get the first ride out of the way it will be a big relief."

Lafferty is thrilled that her first ride will be for Patrick Ryan. She is apprenticed to Grahame Begg, who has stables at Caulfield and Pinecliff on the Mornington Peninsula, but is part of Warrnambool racing royalty.

Her father is Peter Lafferty, who combines training a small team with his job as a bank manager, and her grandfather is Kevin Lafferty, after whom one of Victoria's premier hurdle races is named.

"The Ryans have been very good family friends of ours for generations and role models to me growing up, so it's hard to believe that I'm finally race riding and I'm on one of his horses first up," she said.

"It will be a very special moment for both of our families."

Lafferty will be out to continue the good week for members of her intake following maiden wins by Campbell Rawiller at Moe on Tuesday and Jaden Lloyd at Jerilderie last Saturday.

Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2020 at 12:56pm

Unfortunate news, Jaden Lloyd had a horse fall on him at Matt Cumani�s place this morning. Currently in Ballarat Hospital with suspected fracture to his pelvis

Posted By: Shawy38
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2021 at 1:22pm

The Rawiller name is famous in racing circles, horse racing that is.

Campbell Rawiller has joined that dynasty which includes his father Nash and uncle Brad in forging a career in the saddle, but he�s also hoping to make a name for himself in the world of greyhound racing.

Rawiller has recently been granted a trainers license by Greyhound Racing Victoria and hopes to have his first runner next week.

�The Rawiller�s have always been a racing family and had horses, but I don�t think anyone has even owned a greyhound,� 20-year-old Rawiller admitted.

�I just watch the Sky Racing channel often and just started following it a little bit and getting an understanding and the more I looked into it the more I liked it.

�I thought at first it was a bit of a ridiculous idea.

�I�ve been trying to get my license for about six months and it�s all finally fallen into place and I should be having my first runner next week.�

Having already ridden over 100 races winners in his apprenticeship, Rawiller is hoping his newfound hobby can give him a work-life balance that can see him further succeed in the riding ranks.

�It�s been great fun and good for my riding too I think,� Rawiller explains.

�I haven�t backed off my workload, but it�s just given me that outlet I probably never really had since I started riding, I�m not one to go play golf like a lot of jockeys.

�I�ve got the competitive side in me, when there are stakes on the line and a bit of pressure it keeps me motivated to keep working hard as opposed to a day out fishing.

�Instead of going home thinking of a bad ride, I�ll go home thinking of programming my dog.

�It beats sitting at home thinking of eating and knowing you can�t.�

Rawiller isn�t the first racing participant to make to step into greyhound racing, seeking advice from fellow enthusiasts Jarrod Fry and Billy Stockdale.

Jye McNeil, John Allen, Harry Coffey and Daniel Bowman also forged a greyhound syndicate which struck success earlier this year with their dog On the Bit winning five of his eight starts, while Ben Thompson�s parents Jason and Seona are amongst the sport�s biggest names.

�I had to go to the races and show that I could put a dog in the boxes, catch a dog, put a rug and muzzle on that sort of stuff,� Rawiller said.

�And then there were kennel inspections which are obviously quire strict and important to have as animal welfare is the number one priority.

�I use a lot of the slipping tracks which are like a straight 300 metres, I might start getting Lachie Neindorf to come with me and get him to stand down the other end and catch them.�

Rawiller has already had a successful introduction into the greyhound industry as an owner - in England of all places.

�I own one in England which is going quite good,� Rawiller said.

�One of the jockeys Danny Brock I used to ride out with when I went over there when I was about 16, we got along really well.

�He got into the dogs about a year ago and I follow him on Instagram and I noticed he was racing them and I said if you�ve got anything you like let us know and he said he had one for me.

�It�s won five races from eight starts now.�

Rawiller�s kennels are a short drive from his Mornington Peninsula base at Mount Martha, but despite plenty of outside interest from friends to get involved he is keen to keep things mangable.

�I have had a heap of people ask me (about ownership) but it�s like anything, the bigger you get the more time you have to put into it and I just don�t have the time to have eight or ten dogs at the moment,� Rawiller said.

�Two or three is enough and is what I am happy doing.�

Forcefully is the greyhound punters can put in the blackbook who is set to be Rawiller�s first runner this week.

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Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2022 at 12:53pm

Keane swaps boxing gloves for saddle

Had her career taken a different path, Dakotah Keane may have been preparing to head to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next month to compete in women's boxing.

Instead she'll be rising before the sun for work at Tony Noonan's Mornington base.

A champion junior boxer, the 19-year-old Warrnambool product turned her back on the sport to pursue a career as a jockey and joined Racing Victoria's elite apprentice program earlier this year.

"I was boxing since the age of 12, I won the 50-52 kilos in Perth, the Australian title, before that I won three state titles," Keane said.

"Once I won a couple of Australian titles, I made the team for the Commonwealth Games, which put me on a path to choose what I wanted to do. I was in love with racing, so I chose to do that path."

It hasn't been a straightforward journey into the saddle for Keane, who was knocked back when she initially attempted to join the apprentice ranks.

"I got knocked back the first year, but it was probably good because I probably wasn't ready to be in it yet, I lacked experience," Keane said.

Keane is indentured to Noonan and the Mornington-horseman is excited by the prospect of the teenager riding in races after an impressive start to her career in racing.

"She came and she was basically a blank canvas, she'd done a little bit of riding down at Warrnambool but had really no knowledge of the industry," Noonan said.

"Her energy and passion for it, she was like a sponge, the more she could do and learn - the better she's become.

"I think in time she's got the makings of a good jockey."

Not shying away from lofty goals, Keane says she wants to make her riding career a meaningful one and be competitive at the highest level.

"I'm really looking forward to my first race ride," she said.

"Long-term, well I'd love to be a Group 1 jockey, but I hope I just make it and be successful."

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2023 at 11:43am

RV welcomes new apprentices

A new wave of apprentices will be inducted into Racing Victoria's Apprentice Jockey Training Program at a special function that will take place at Flemington on Monday evening.

Eight future stars of the saddle have been selected to join the renowned program: Logan Bates, Jordyn Weatherley, Beau Treloar, Luke Cartwright, Caitlin Hollowood, Sarah Field, Lauren Burke and Thomas Spillane.

Spillane's induction into the program represents a complete shift in his career, after he previously worked as a junior accountant in Melbourne.

While he'll be indentured to Ben and JD Hayes, Spillane has followed the likes of star riders Jye McNeil, Luke Nolen and Nick Hall in learning his craft from respected horseman Gerald Egan.

"After I finished school, I went straight to university, where I completed my business degree," Spillane said.

"When I had nearly completed this degree, I had this desire to try my hand in the racing industry before I committed to life as an accountant.

"I was going up to Gerald Egan in Mansfield on any day I could and began learning to ride and loved it from the first time I sat on a horse.

"The longer I spent in the industry, the more desire I had to get my apprenticeship and compete at the highest level."

RV CEO Andrew Jones said he is excited about inducting the latest group of aspiring jockeys.

"We are thrilled to welcome another crop of talented, driven and enthusiastic young riders into our apprentice program," Jones said.

"Craig Williams, Michelle Payne and Jye McNeil are some of the graduates of our program. This year's inductees will be hoping to follow in their footsteps. We wish them every success."

The eight inductees will be mentored by RV apprentice jockey coaches Darren Gauci and Alf Matthews, while they'll also receive specialist training in areas such as equine welfare, performance analysis, personal wellbeing, nutrition, physiotherapy, media, finance and business management.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2023 at 12:25pm

Top guns: Aspiring jockeys get start in elite RV apprentice school

Damien Oliver's character, not honour roll inspired Caitlin Hollowood, one of eight riders to enter Racing Victoria's elite apprentice school on Monday, to pursue a career in the saddle.

Oliver boasted 70-plus Group 1s, including two Melbourne Cups, four Caulfield Cups and two Cox Plates, when Hollowood, 23, chose to profile the jockey in a Grade 3 school project.

Oliver's resilience amid tragedy, losing his father and brother in race falls, encouraged Hollowood to confront adversity head on.

Hollowood, a track rider for Group 1 trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, has followed Hall of Fame jockey Oliver's career from a star struck distance.

"I don't know if he knows he's my idol, I haven't really spoken to him," Hollowood laughed.

Hollowood first met Oliver by chance as a 12-year-old at a horse entertainment show in Melbourne.

"I saw him at Cavalia and I was like that can't be him, I ran over and said can I please get a photo with you," Hollowood said.

"I grew up with no one in racing … and he was always in the news so he was quite easy to idolise … it was quite interesting finding out more about Ollie and it proper made him my idol.

"I thought it was amazing he continued to do what he loved, no matter what happened, he always stayed strong."

The class of 2023 includes Luke Cartwright, 17, (apprentice to Lyn Tolson), Jordyn Weatherley, 18, (Tom Dabernig), Beau Treloar, 19, (Matt Cumani), Logan Bates, 21, (Cindy Alderson), Lauren Burke, 21, (Shane Nichols), Thomas Spillane (Ben and JD Hayes) and Sarah Field, 25, (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace).

The inductees replace Apprentice Jockey Training Program graduates Matt Cartwright, Will Price, Celine Gaudray, Carleen Hefel, Laura Lafferty, Kiran Quilty and Campbell Rawiller.

Natalie Young commended budding apprentice Hollowood's skill set, work ethic and dedication.

"She's been with us quite a few years and always had that aspiration to be a jockey," Young said.

"She's been wanting it since the day I met her basically … our job is to try and shape that (aspiration) and get her to be a successful jockey."

Hollowood knuckled down the past 12 months to gain a start in the elite riding school after missing out last year with a broken leg.

The 23-year-old snapped her tibia and fibula when a young horse she was helping to educate at the breakers reared up and landed on her.

"Not many people get through on their first go I've noticed, it's good in a way because a lot of the time you're not quite ready, mentally and physically, it's quite a toll," Hollowood said.

"I worked flat out and have been going to the gym trying to be the healthiest, fittest version of myself, I gave it all I could and we got there, I couldn't believe it when I got the call."

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 31 May 2023 at 4:12pm

Wiremu Pinn breaks Australian maiden

Highly regarded Kiwi apprentice Wiremu Pinn is off the mark in Australia.
The talented 3kg claimer, who rode in his first races in Australia last Saturday, guided Mystery Moment to victory for John Leek Jnr at Mornington on Wednesday.
His first Australian win comes at just his seventh race ride.
The 24-year-old has wasted little time settling into Australia and has already been used by leading trainers including Andrew Forsman and Anthony Freedman.
Pinn is apprenticed to Cranbourne-based Michael Kent.
He looms as hot property this winter given his experience and ability to still claim in the city.
With a tally of 171 wins since first showing his ability in the saddle in 2018, Pinn has long outridden his claim in New Zealand, however, under Australian racing rules he is still eligible for a three-kilogram claim in metropolitan races.
Pinn said he was ecstatic to boot home his first Australian winner.
"I'm very happy to be here," he said.
"I love it here. I've only been here four or five days, but things are going really well.
"I'm grateful for all the support I'm getting."
Leek described Pinn as a 'wizz'.
"Don't anybody use him," he joked.
Pinn also credited injured jockey Ethan Brown for his help learning about the intricacies of Mornington.
"Thanks to Ethan Brown. He came over this morning and helped me walk the track," he said.
"I probably wouldn't have ridden the race (like I did) if it wasn't for him showing me around."

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: theshu25
Date Posted: 31 May 2023 at 6:06pm

The next Michael Walker. The kid is a natural.

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theshu

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2023 at 5:48pm

https://www.racing.com/news/2023-05-28/news-jockeys-munro-ready-for-her-biggest-day" rel="nofollow -

about Victoria's newest jockey Danica Munro. ... proudly with for the last, I'd say, 18 months we've been together," Munro said

Danica Munro has always had an appreciation of horsepower and on Monday, she'll take the next step in her equine career when she has her first race ride at Pakenham.

The apprentice jockey has been around horses for as long as she can remember.

"I didn't grow up in racing, but my Nan had me on the back of a horse since before I could even sit upright on my own," Munro said.

"I grew up in northern New South Wales, up in Port Macquarie and Taree. My introduction to racing was when my grandparents decided to start breeding a couple of their own and racing. I absolutely fell in love with it then."

That love of racing inspired Munro to set her sights on a career in the saddle.

"We've always raced motorbikes, ridden motocross, endurance and that kind of thing," she said.

"I put the motorbikes and the horses together and I haven't looked back on it."

Munro described her journey to becoming a jockey as being a shorter one compared to some of her colleagues.

"I spent the first 18 months of my career riding breakers and pre-trainers and I was lucky enough to be mentored by Peter Mertens," she explained.

"For 18 months I worked with him and he taught me so much and gave me a lot of really good basics to get me started and move on to riding in bigger stables and getting me where I am now.

"I spent six months at Lindsay Park at Euroa and absolutely thrived there, there were so many good riders, I just couldn't learn enough while I was there."

Munro is now apprenticed to Liam Howley, someone she describes as being a fantastic boss, while she also emphasised her gratitude for the team she works with at the stable, who have been her greatest supporters.

Her first race ride will be aboard the Howley-trained Fiftysevenyears, a horse who she's developed a rapport with.

"Fiftysevenyears is a horse that I've worked quite proudly with for the last, I'd say, 18 months we've been together," Munro said.

"I've had him since day one, everyone's had their fair share of him, but he's one of my favourites at the stable, so we're quite familiar with each other."

Munro's grandparents have made the trip to Victoria to watch her in action at the races for the first time, with the four-kilo claimer taking on her fellow apprentices in the Bon Hoysted Apprentices Cup over 1400m.

Despite the significance of the occasion, the rookie rider has managed to keep her emotions in check.

"I'm actually quite calm about it, oddly enough," Munro said.

"I'm excited and I've worked really hard to get here but I'm really calm and I'm feeling quite ready for it."

Longer-term, Munro has ambitions to ride over the obstacles, as she attempts to become the first female apprentice to then become a jumps jockey.

"I entered the apprenticeship program with the hopes of becoming a jumps jockey at the end of it," she said.

"It's always my passion, going over the jumps, I took every opportunity I could when I was younger to hop my little horses over the logs. It's always been an interest of mine."

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: rusty nails
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2023 at 6:16pm

What a great kid!

Hope she goes great

Posted By: Take2
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2023 at 7:29pm

She Won today @ Bendigo Rusty

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change is simply a destination on a journey reached by taking the first step (i said that) lol

www.3rdmillenniumbloodstock.com.au

Posted By: rusty nails
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2023 at 7:36pm

How good!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2023 at 2:50pm

RV make apprentice claim changes

Racing Victoria has announced changes to how apprentice jockey claims are applied.

The changes, which will come into effect from the new racing season, will see races now categorised as either ‘Metropolitan’, ‘Provincial’, or ‘Other'.

They will replace the current system of Metropolitan, TAB and Non-TAB.

RV says the changes are designed to fit in with systems already in place in other racing jurisdictions.

It also claims the changes will also "better support the progression and development of Victorian apprentices through three tiers of racing, with Victoria having largely operated under a two-tier system in recent years due to the small number of Non-TAB meetings now conducted’.

The changes come following consultation with the Victorian Jockeys’ Association (VJA) and other industry stakeholders.

The new model looks like this:

Metropolitan Category

All racetracks at Flemington, Caulfield, The Valley and Ladbrokes Park (Sandown) will be designated as Metropolitan venues.

Wins at any Provincial track hosting a Metropolitan race meeting or Group and Listed Race wins will also be classified as Metropolitan wins. This remains unchanged from present.

Provincial Category

The new Provincial category will comprise the following racetracks: Bendigo, Cranbourne, Geelong, Mornington, Sale, Sportsbet-Ballarat Turf, Sportsbet-Pakenham Turf and Warrnambool.

Wins at these eight racetracks, excluding those classified as Metropolitan meetings, will be used to calculate an apprentice jockey’s Provincial claim.

Other Category

The new Other category will comprise the following racetracks: Ararat, Avoca, bet365 Bairnsdale, bet365 Benalla, Burrumbeet, bet365 Camperdown, Casterton, bet365 Colac, Coleraine, Donald, Dunkeld, bet365 Echuca, bet365 Edenhope, Great Western, Gunbower, bet365 Hamilton, Hanging Rock, Horsham, Kerang, bet365 Park Kilmore, bet365 Park Kyneton, Manangatang, bet365 Mildura, Moe, bet365 Mortlake, Murtoa, Nhill, Penshurst, Seymour, Sportsbet-Ballarat Synthetic, Sportsbet-Pakenham Synthetic, St Arnaud, bet365 Stawell, Stony Creek, TAB Park Werribee, Tatura, bet365 Terang, Towong, Traralgon, Sportsbet-Wangaratta, Warracknabeal, bet365 Park Wodonga, Wycheproof, bet365 Yarra Valley.

Wins at these 44 racetracks, whether they are conducted as TAB or non-TAB meetings, will be used to calculate an apprentice jockey’s Other claim.

RV has also announced that there will be a retrospective calculation of current apprentice claims when the new system starts. An updated list of apprentice claims will be released at the start of the new season.

“For current apprentices, any wins up to 31 July 2023 will be reclassified in accordance with the new structure and any eligible claims recalculated in accordance with the Australian Rules of Racing and the new categories.

“This predominantly means there will be a change to the weight allowance some apprentice jockeys are eligible to claim at race meetings held at Provincial racetracks.

“Apprentice jockeys have received provisional advice today as to whether their claims are likely to be adjusted, noting that this won’t be confirmed until the conclusion of the current racing season with the possibility of more wins throughout July.

RV’s RV’s Executive General Manager – Integrity Services, Jamie Stier said the change was designed to ‘in part to resolve the competitive disadvantage many Victorian apprentices had experienced under the previous model’.

“In addition, the new system is designed to create increased opportunities for our apprentice jockeys to progress through the ranks, gain more riding experience, ride more winners and ultimately help them establish a better foothold in their early careers, which in turn will help with their transition to the senior riding ranks.”

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2023 at 3:59pm

Hammond recovering from fall

When apprentice Rose Hammond turned 21 on Sunday, she didn't enjoy the celebrations she'd been planning.

Instead of a lively party, she was recovering from a race fall at Donald on Friday.

She spent that night in the Bendigo Hospital after sustaining a concussion when falling from veteran galloper Pravro soon after the jump of the sixth event on the program.

Hammond knows the 10-year-old son of Lonhro well, having ridden him regularly for her bosses and 'second family', Echuca-based trainers Gwenda and Mick Johnstone.

While Pravro ran on during the race and has sustained no injuries from the incident, Hammond will be sidelined for at least the next 12 days under concussion protocols.

Giving an update on her condition, Mick Johnstone said Hammond is continuing to recover well and was happy to at least be home to celebrate her special day.

"We went and saw her at her parents' place at Tongala for her birthday on Sunday and she's feeling better, which is great," he said.

"It definitely wasn't the birthday she was planning on, but it was good that her injuries weren't more extensive and she'll hopefully be back in a couple of weeks.

"She has to have the next couple of weeks off under the concussion rules and then go and see the Racing Victoria doctor in Melbourne but then she'll be able to return to the races.

"She stayed in hospital for the Friday night and was still a bit dazed on the Saturday, but by the end of the weekend she was feeling better.

"Pravro was all okay too and after finishing the race without Rose he came right up to me, so at least it was good to know he was all right.

"We're all a big family up here so very happy that Rose is okay and it was nice to see her and celebrate her birthday."

Hammond, who had her first race ride last November, has recorded 18 career victories in her first season including eight for the Johnstones.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Gay3
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2023 at 10:38am

Treloar scores first win

Apprentice Beau Treloar is the latest in a new wave of young Victorian riders to breakthrough with their first race victories, after he won on the Patrick Kearney-trained Happy Family at Horsham on Sunday.

In the opening event of the seven-race program, the $1.60 favourite Miami Vice jumped the best of the field and took up the lead early under the urgings of in-form jockey Declan Bates, while Happy Family also got out of the gates positively jumping in the first few and settling on the inside.

The Preusker-trained Miami Vice kicked ahead at the top of the straight, but was ground down by the eventual winner under a well-timed steer from Treloar to record his first career victory at his 12th race start.

The 20-year-old is the nephew of Group 1-winning jockey Wayne ‘Smokey’ Treloar, and hasn’t had the easiest path to his apprenticeship with setbacks including a broken leg.

Now apprenticed to Ballarat trainer Matt Cumani, Treloar had his first ride just over five weeks ago on Melbourne Cup Day at Echuca aboard the Cumani-trained Tom the Star.

Treloar was one of eight aspiring jockeys to be inducted into Racing Victoria’s elite Apprentice Program in March.

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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Posted By: Ted
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2023 at 11:43am

I've got a small share in Happy Family - he wanted to hang in for the last furlong and Beau did a nice job balancing him up for a final surge to the line

Posted By: acacia alba
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2023 at 11:45am

Congrats Ted Thumbs Up

Good on the young fella too.

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animals before people.