Feature Story
Heather Newton and Apprentice Jockey School, Ascot
Aug 6, 2008
Heather Newton, 2nd year apprentice jockey, was
born in Perth, WA and began riding for pleasure at the early age of
4. After finishing her education and subsequently working as
a veterinary nurse for several years, Heather decided it was time
for a career change - with a love of horses, a slight stature, and
thirsty for a challenge, it wasn't hard for Heather to decide to
pursue a career as a jockey.
Heather is currently indentured to do stable work and ride track work for Paula Wagg, a well respected trainer based at Ascot. The selection of host trainer is made by Racing and Wagering WA who also directly employ the apprentice. Working 6 days a week from 4 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 5 pm, it's a hard slog coping with the early morning starts and the physical demands of riding numerous horses during track work, feeding and mucking out. In addition to track riding, Heather also has to study, fine tune her riding techniques and attend gym sessions twice a week. She has just gained her jockey licence, which means she can ride competitively at race meets. She also rides track work for other trainers in the morning if the opportunity arises. It's a way of promoting herself to prospective employers.
Apprentice Jockey
School
When you're next at Ascot placing bets, look to the far left of
the Tote - hidden behind unmarked green doors you'll find the Ascot
Apprentice Jockey School classroom and gymnasium. The
Apprentice Jockey School run by Racing & Wagering WA offers a
comprehensive training programme for jockeys with the option to
attain formal qualifications such as Certificate 3 Track Work
Rider. During a four year apprenticeship (including 18
months traineeship), apprentices are placed with host trainers and
employed directly by Racing and Wagering WA. Prior to this
formal training, jockeys learnt on the job.
At present there just over 20 apprentices at Ascot including a few
from overseas and approximately 40% are girls. Apprentice
jockeys attend school once a fortnight. They study a range of
subjects including equine physiology, nutrition and pace setting
and are given talks by professionals such as the racecourse
stewards who may speak about such things as stewards' enquires,
protests, and Rules of Racing. The class tutor will require
regular assignments to be completed, some of which are marked by
the respective host trainer. In addition to class work, an
apprentice jockey must also attend the gymnasium twice a week to
ensure levels of strength, fitness and technique under the watchful
supervision of a coach. Among the equipment is something
called an Equicizer, a manually-operated mechanical horse used by
jockeys to help increase their strength and riding skill.
Out of the classroom, an apprentice jockey's riding
ability is regularly assessed by one of two official Riding Masters
who watch trackside and provide valuable feedback to the
apprentice. Jockeys must ride track work and compete in
barrier trails. Trials are used to improve the fitness and
racing manners of the horses and to help apprentice jockeys learn
to ride in race conditions. In order to gain a jockey licence, an
apprentice must have a minimum of 20 barrier trials under the belt,
and have clearance from the Riding Master and trainer with regards
to riding ability.
On completion of training, jockeys become self-employed and work with racehorse trainers and owners to obtain rides in races. However, not all make it! There is a considerable drop-out rate among apprentices. Some find it hard to keep their weight down, some find the job to be less glamorous than they thought, and some just don't have the ability. With a 3 kg weight allowance for certain races, top apprentice jockeys are much sought after by owners and trainers, and as a result can complete their apprenticeship and be in an excellent financial position, winnings having been kept in a trust account for them until the completion of the apprenticeship.
