The Racing Victoria (RV) Apprentice Jockey Training Program (AJTP) aims to develop professional athletes for an international career in the racing industry. The program is conducted with partners including the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS).
The AJTP is a high-performance athlete program that operates in a continuous improvement environment. Graduates will earn a Certificate IV in Racing - Jockey.
The program also currently delivers / provides the following across the four years:
- National Illicit Drugs in Sport (IDiS) Program
- Specialist Providers
- Apprentice Jockey Coaches
- Athlete Development and Industry Careers Advisor
- Jockey Wellbeing and Safety Officer
- Stipendiary Steward attached to the program
- Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner
- Sports Science and Sports Medicine (Psychology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, Chief Medical Officer,)
- Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) provide lifestyle, strength and condition services and access to their facilities and other sport high-performance athletes and role models
- Race Riding, Performance Analysis
- Media, Finance and Business skills
- Defensive Driver Training (Murcotts Driver Excellence)
As athletes in all sports have to make a decision about how long they are able to compete, apprentices will also be supported to undertake further education and training to prepare for and transition to a career post riding from.
The career benefits for leading jockeys can be significant as jockeys earn riding fees and receive a percentage of prize money so the program will also prepare athletes to manage this.
