New Zealand has a proud history of producing top-class jockeys that ply their trade both domestically and around the world, a process that begins with the path of an apprentice jockey.

In the Northern, Central and Southern regions, Class B Apprentice Jockeys of different ages and stages are working through a four-year apprentice programme, with the most recent title taken out by 20-year-old Lily Sutherland.

A path into an apprenticeship can look different to every individual, with some coming through equestrian backgrounds, to family involvement or fitting the physique required to undertake the career.

For South Island apprentice jockey Denby-Rose Tait, a career as an apprentice jockey only came about after spending time behind the scenes in a racing stable, as both a trackwork rider and a strapper.

The 24-year-old has been race riding for over a year with 26 wins to her credit, and is currently apprenticed to Riccarton trainer Terri Rae.

“I had a background in show ponies and once I finished school I had two months to spare before heading to Europe,” Tait said.

“Through a family association I got a job riding track work for the first time for Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal, essentially because I wasn’t qualified for another field and I wanted to work with horses.

“Once I moved to Christchurch, it was through a friend that I was able to get a job with Ross (Beckett, trainer). I had simply asked her whether there were any local trainers that were looking for a trackwork rider, so I applied for my licence and it progressed from there.

“I started jumping the horses out (of the barriers) at Ross’, then at Riccarton, and my first gallop was with Terry Moseley. I found a real passion for it and eventually I started riding proper jump-outs, then onto riding at the trials.”

After deciding to pursue a career as an apprentice, Tait was granted a Class C Probationary Jockey licence, required to ride in at least 30 satisfactory trials before stepping out in a professional capacity on raceday.

In addition to this, she undertook fitness screening, attended an induction course and displayed the mental and physical attributes required to become an apprentice jockey, while under the guidance of an approved apprentice employer.

“A probation period runs for generally around 12 months, you have to do about 35 trial rides and at least 30 at a satisfactory level,” Tait said.

“At the time of my probation, David Walsh was the riding mentor and he went through every ride, assessing whether they were satisfactory or non-satisfactory. I ended up doing about 40 rides before heading to the races.

“The natural progression of an apprentice’s career is primarily driven by your employer and the riding mentor, they help you get on the right path and remain in that direction.”

The South Island cohort are now under the tutelage of Group One-winning hoop Jason Laking, who is both on-course at the races and through the week to offer advice, go over race replays, and help the apprentices through the challenges of becoming a jockey.

“It can be hard to watch a replay when you know you have made a silly mistake or not ridden very well, but I’m probably guilty of harassing Jason at the races, always asking what I should’ve done differently in terms of taking a different line or going sooner or later,” Tait said.

“Every Wednesday, Jason is down at the apprentice’s room at the track virtually all day, so we are able to go in and utilise him. I always go in with a few questions and some specific race rides that I want him to review and give advice on.

“Terri is a huge help as well, she offers a lot of constructive criticism and critiques, and both she and Jason have been a massive influence on my riding style.”

The group will meet every five weeks at Ara Institute of Canterbury for the ‘Apprentice Academy’ days. During the five-hour sessions, the training includes falls, nutrition, and finances. They will often have guest speakers discussing issues including mental health and drugs, alcohol and gambling, while also touching on recovery-based topics in a high-pressure sport.

Tait has enjoyed an exciting start to the new season including a winning treble on Grand National Day, however, she expressed that with the highs come many challenges that she navigates to pursue this career.

To be a licenced apprentice jockey in New Zealand, the individual must weigh no more than 54 kilograms, which can be a task to maintain as riders commence their raceday riding careers, particularly when claiming up to four kilograms.

“I’m not a natural lightweight, never have been and probably never will be, so I have to work very hard to manage a weight that keeps me on the cusp of being an apprentice jockey,” Tait said.

“I absolutely love riding and it is my passion, but you do sacrifice and compromise certain areas of your life to ensure that you’re ready to go by raceday.

“For someone like me, who has to be extremely conscious of their weight, being a jockey is a 24/7 career and commitment.”

Alongside this, receiving criticism, particularly online, is something jockeys face regularly with the harsh realities of social media.

“There are always a few couch jockeys sending some interesting messages after the races which can be tough to read,” Tait said.

“Having an extensive background in being the strapper and the trackwork rider, I understand how many hours go into just getting a horse to the races.

“With that in mind, it can feel like a lot of pressure to be the one making the split-second decisions during a race.”

Northern-based hoop Triston Moodley has been another apprentice jockey to make a strong impression in the saddle over the past season, finishing with 40 winners including a five-win haul at the Apprentice Only Day at New Plymouth in June.

A South African ex-pat, Moodley found his way to New Zealand through prominent owner-breeder Daniel Nakhle, and is now apprenticed to Danny Walker and Arron Tata at Byerley Park.

“I rode trackwork for Mr Paul Peter in Johannesburg, who Daniel got in touch with when looking to open an Apprentice Academy here,” Moodley said.

“It was a good opportunity and I rode a bit for Danny Walker when I came out, so when I moved to his stable full-time I really started enjoying my riding and getting into the groove of things.”

Moodley found the transition from trials to raceday an exciting challenge, with the competitive nature of raceday riding.

“There isn’t too much of a difference, but the main thing is the competitiveness and tightness of the races, it was just getting used to that,” he said.

“Danny and Arron helped me a huge amount as well as Daniel, they are very motivating and helped me get my weight under control. My natural walking weight is around about 54.5kg and my book weight is 53kg, so I spend a lot of time in the gym and in the sauna to make that happen.

“You just have to work hard at it (weight), but when you ride raceday and ride a winner or two, it’s all worth it.”

An alternative path into a career as an apprentice jockey is through the New Zealand Equine Academy, based at Byerley Park in Kingseat, Auckland, and a satellite campus in Cambridge.

The Academy offers NZQA-endorsed certifications at Level 2 and 3, which are designed to educate students and set them up for a successful career in the racing industry, leading to jobs as stablehands, trackwork riders and apprentice jockeys.

Leith Innes, a former Champion jockey, leads the Jockey Academy based in Cambridge, with an approach that emphasises the importance of nutrition, fitness, sports psychology and working with the media.

“We’ve got two apprentices up and running at the moment, Donovan Cooper is based in Christchurch and he’s on loan to Ross Beckett, he’s been going really well down there,” Innes said.

“Sima Mxothwa rode his first winner at the end of last season for Bob Vance, and he’s had about nine rides so far.

“Before they ride, we look at how the race may pan out in terms of different speed maps, but once they are out there riding, they are in control. Come Monday, we go over the rides and review them, thinking about where they could’ve made a different decision. It’s about trying to make as minimal mistakes as possible.

“We do a variety of things outside of raceday, they have a routine of going to F45 in the afternoons when they aren’t working in the stable, so fitness and nutrition is a big part of it. Under the NZTR guidelines, they still attend the regional Apprentice Days as well.

“On a Monday in Cambridge, we have our own mechanical horse, which is computerised, so it’s great to have the apprentices turn up for that too.”

Innes rode more than 1500 winners in New Zealand and 31 at Group One level, and has taken note of the progression and changes in the industry in comparison to his time as an apprentice.

“Safety is the biggest change I’ve seen, back then the goal was just to use your stick and get the most out of your horse, but now it’s a lot more about balance and looking tidy,” he said.

“We also have a lot more tools in helping with managing weight for the bigger jockeys, as well as on-hand race replays straight away.

“I think the pony scurries are a great initiative, the kids are out there really enjoying themselves and it’s great competition. It’s teaching them what it’s like to run up the straight and go fast, it’s a good asset.

“An individual needs to be hungry because you’re going to have challenges and falls along the way, but as long as you enjoy it and have a passion, it’s a great sport to be in.

“With the money Entain have put into the stakes, it can be a very lucrative job if you are successful.”

For more information, visit: www.nzea.ac.nz