1. How does someone become an apprentice jockey?

Anyone wishing to become a jockey in NSW can contact Racing NSW, the regulatory body for thoroughbred racing in NSW, which was established in June 1997. An extension of indentures is available for up to one year for apprentices who have not out ridden their claim.

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The Racing NSW Training Department and Racing NSW Stewards work together to provide suitable and effective training opportunities for people wishing to enter the industry. Racing NSW will assist a new entrant sign into a traineeship to ensure structured training applies.

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Racing NSW provides advice, support and direction. Racing NSW assesses each case individually, before determining the most appropriate option in terms of organising an apprentice's indenture with a trainer.

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If anyone, who wants to become a jockey, approaches a trainer directly, the trainer follows the same process and contacts Racing Training Dept. or Stewards.

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An apprentice must initially be registered with a licensed trainer as a stablehand / rider and serve a probationary period with a Racing NSW trainer before being entering into an apprentice jockey indenture with that trainer. This process will occur following Academy style training.

For those who wish to become apprentices but have no practical horse skills, Racing NSW Training Department can provide information to participants about practical and theoretical training, provided through Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy.

 

2. How is an apprentice assigned to a trainer?

Experienced Racing NSW staff are integral to the process of placing an apprentice with a trainer. Training Department staff, comprising of Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy Qualified Workplace Trainer and Assessors,  and Stewards, have regular contact with trainers throughout NSW and are aware of each trainer's situation.

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Racing NSW assess the working environment that each trainer can provide looking at all relevant aspects of on-the-job training provided, such as the suitability of a trainer to guide an apprentice's career and whether a trainer has a sufficient number of horses in work to give an apprentice enough track work and race riding experience. An apprentice is placed following a comprehensive process that also involves the apprentice's family and any other appropriate or relevant people.

 

3. How are accommodation arrangements determined for apprentices?

Racing NSW and the apprentice's family are involved in the process to determine the most suitable accommodation. There are various accommodation options available including living with the trainer's family or in accommodation at the stables or in a nearby apartment. It is not a requirement that apprentices live away from home and those that live close to the racing stables where they are indentured are encouraged to continue to live at home and travel to and from work each day. In each case, the choice is with the apprentice and/or their families where appropriate.

 

4. What training is offered to apprentice jockeys?

Each Racing NSW apprenticeship is 4 years, with an option for extension. During this time apprentices receive both practical and theoretical training.

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Most of the practical training is received 'on-the-job' under the supervision of the trainer to whom the apprentice is indentured.

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Training of all apprentices throughout NSW follows the same timetable. The theoretical component for current 2nd, 3rd and 4th year apprentices is received at Apprentice Schools, which are conducted throughout the calendar year at scheduled camps at the Academy’s Scone Campus.

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The Certificate IV Jockey program is offered through Approved Training Providers. Teaching is delivered by both qualified instructors and experienced Jockeys and Trainers who have been trained as Workplace Assessors and who have also completed a Mentoring and Coaching in the Workplace program. They offer practical advice, support, tuition and the benefit of their experience to apprentices.

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Subjects studied include health and fitness for jockeys, nutrition, fitness, financial planning, communication skills, first aid, raceday procedures and video reviews of race rides. These subjects are based upon the national competencies of the national training package so that uniformity is maintained.

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Apprentice School activities also comprise a practical component with learning aids that simulate the riding experience, such as the racehorse simulators, used to improve riding skills and fitness.

Racing NSW Stewards also regularly attend to provide advice with regards to race day procedures, including the inquiry process.

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In order for apprentices to progress to jockey status and become licensed, they must regularly attend, and successfully complete, Apprentice School training.

 

5. How has apprentice training changed in recent years?

Changes that the Racing NSW has introduced include the following:

• Uniformity of training programs throughout the state

• Employing experienced and successful Jockeys as instructors

• Introduction of Academy style training at Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy’s Scone Campus

• Training of former and current jockeys as apprentice mentors, to provide mentoring and tuition to apprentice jockeys

• Introduction of workplace assessments whereby Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy staff visit training stables to assess the development of skills acquired by apprentices during their on-the-job training

• Restructuring of the placement policy to ensure apprentices are placed in areas and stables that provide maximum opportunity to gain on-the-job experience

• Adjustment of weight claims for apprentices, within the country, provincial and metropolitan areas, to allow greater scope for race ride success.

• Compulsory attendance at Apprentice School Camps to obtain theoretical tuition, which complements 'on-the-job' training, and which provides nationally-recognised qualification, at Certificate IV level

• Apprentice School visits by guest expert speakers and stewards to complement the curriculum

• Participation in the Racing NSW Rising Star Series, which will feature a series of apprentice-only race heats throughout NSW culminating in a Championship final

 

6. Are the training programs national?

Industry training programs in each Australian state are based on the national Racing and Breeding Training Package (RGR).

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The RGR was developed to establish national competency standards for apprentice jockeys, track riders, stablehands and trainers. It provides structured training models for all skill levels and provides matching qualifications.

 

7. Have race riding opportunities for apprentice jockeys increased?

Race riding opportunities for apprentice jockeys have increased as they work their way through the consistency of training and the added practical coaching by Racing NSW Jockey coaches. Horse trainers and owners have confidence in the apprentices all round ability to ride successfully and handle the pressures of raceday.

 

8. What support systems are available to apprentice jockeys?

All apprentices are encouraged to contact any or all of the following officers should they require support and/or advice:

• Racing NSW Training Department, who have access to Psychologists, Counsellors and other professional services, email careers@racingnsw.com.au or phone 1800 200 724

• Racing NSW Head Jockey Coach/Mentor (02) 9551 7500

• The apprentice jockey coach/mentor in their region

• Racing NSW Stewards - 02 9551 7500 (or local region stewards)

 

9. What Next?

a. Before you are permitted to ride in barrier trials you must be registered for at least three months as a stablehand rider with a licensed trainer for whom you are going to be indentured. The rider must be assessed by the Racing NSW Training mentors or the Stewards before they can ride in a barrier trial. The rider must be a very competent rider before this assessment and the skills required, can take a number of months to achieve.

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b. It is necessary for the employee to ride a minimum of 20 barrier trials successfully before being permitted to commence riding in races. When you have reached this stage your employer will be advised by the Stewards and Jockey Coach or Workplace Trainer and Assessor.

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c. Weight: to be a jockey, the ideal weight would be 45-48 kg at sixteen years of age for boys and 45 kg for girls.

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d. The knowledge gained from the Certificate II in Racing Stablehand course will provide you with the essential skills required to complete the higher-level Certificate III Trackwork Rider / Stablehand and Certificate IV Jockey courses. Racing NSW's Training department strongly advises those wishing to enter the racing industry to either complete the Certificate II in Racing-Stablehand through an approved Industry Training Provider.

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10. How do I become a Trainee?

Racing NSW can assist you with contacting a New Apprenticeship Centre (NAC) person who will sign you into the trainee system.

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A traineeship generally takes 12 months to complete, although if you go on to be indentured as an apprentice jockey this will take longer.