We would like to say a big congratulations and good luck to Thomas Stockdale our new Apprentice Jockey. Thomas has worked for Shane for the last 12 months and has now successfully been inducted into Racing Victoria’s (RV) Apprentice Jockey Training Program (AJTP) which is considered to be one of the world racing’s premier athlete development program.
(Thomas is 6th from the left)
Thomas along with 4 others underwent a stringent talent identification process to gain entry into the four-year high performance program which offers specialist learning in areas such as race riding, performance analysis, sports science and sports medicine, as well as media, finance and business skill. Along with developing his race riding skills, Thomas will also learn how to live, eat and train as elite sports person, but also importantly be given the support to develop a successful career once they decide to retire from professional riding.
The holistic program not only prepares riders for the rigours of life as a domestic jockey but also provides opportunities for them to build experience and develop their skills on the world stage.
The aspiring jockeys will be under the guidance of RV’s jockey coaches, retired jockeys Matthew Pumpa and Darren Gauci, the latter who hung up the saddle earlier this month after a glittering career that included 35 Group 1 victories among more than 2500 wins.
Joining them is RV’s Jockey Wellbeing and Safety Officer, Ron Hall, as well as a team of specialists from program partners including the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) and Exercise Research Australia (ERA).
We would like to wish Thomas all the best on his new adventure and look forward to watching him develop his skills and ultimately start race riding. Good Luck from us all!
