Racing Victoria (RV) has today announced changes to the structure of its Apprentice Jockey Training Program (AJTP) which sees the introduction of an additional talent identification and education tier known as the Apprentice Jockey Squad (AJS).
The AJS will serve as a pre-apprenticeship program and focus on riders who have demonstrated the potential to progress to race riding within the next 12 months.
The AJS will provide a stepping-stone from RV’s Rider Development Squad (RDS) – which was launched in 2022 to further the development of trackwork riders – to the AJTP for any aspiring jockeys.
The AJS concept was formed following consultation with industry stakeholder groups. The enhanced model will provide a more structured and supportive pathway, gradually enabling riders to build their skills, manage their physique and develop the confidence required to excel as apprentice jockeys.
The change in structure will also better support those who don’t graduate to race riding by encouraging them to remain as trackwork riders or to seek other pathways, thus maintaining their skills within the industry.
By refining the transition process and offering robust support systems, the new structure will also allow for a greater pool of candidates to be selected into the AJS.
The AJS will provide its members with access to a network of AJTP resources, including expert coaches, dietitians, strength and conditioning specialists and physiotherapists from the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS).
These resources are designed to support growth and development, ensuring the riders are well-prepared for the physical and mental demands of pursuing a career in the saddle.
Once an AJS member has demonstrated the readiness and skill levels required to take the next step, including being approved to ride in official trials by the RV Rider Skills Panel, they can officially transition to the AJTP and be licensed as an apprentice jockey.
Their apprenticeship will continue to be run in accordance with the Apprentice Jockey Race Ride Guidelines, which is a total of four years (plus injury time if required) from the date of their first race ride. An apprenticeship may be shortened if a jockey outrides their claim earlier.
The following 12 riders (with their masters included in brackets), all of whom have graduated from the RDS, have been selected for the 2025 AJS:
- Ashley Alford (Lindsay Park)
- Alice Kennedy (Ben Brisbourne)
- Bree Temple (Jamie Edwards)
- Brydie Blackshaw (Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman)
- Cassidy Hill (Craig Weeding)
- Chelsea Thompson (Jason Warren)
- Dylan Dean (Wendy Kelly)
- Hayley Norman (Matthew Williams)
- Jade Smith (Dane Smith)
- Liana Wood (Ray Resanko)
- Tayla Cameron (Andrew Bobbin)
- Zac Moore (Ciaron Maher)
The AJS members will begin their studies in the new year under the guidance of RV’s workforce development team including apprentice jockey coaches Darren Gauci and Alf Matthews.