The South Australian Apprentice Academy has been educating young apprentice jockeys since the early 1980's. Apprentices are taught a range of techniques and skills at the Academy that help them on their paths to becoming competent and experienced senior riders. The Academy has recently transferred from Morphettville to a brand new, state of the art facility in Somerton Park where we officially opened the doors in September 2024. The new home of the Academy is a multi-purpose building specifically designed to allow the South Australian Apprentices to reach their full potential of not only being professional athletes, but well rounded individuals for our industry and society.
The new facility in Somerton Park encompasses;
- A professional gym focusing on high aerobic equipment
- 6 Mechanical Horses
- Classroom with interactive screen
- Lounge area, meeting space, kitchen and bathroom
For a tour of the facility please get in touch with the Apprentice Academy.
The program has recently introduced a new training partnership with The University of South Australia where the Apprentices are put through their paces in a specialised program which tests their Fitness, Strength, Flexibility, BIA, Reaction time and Balance.
Size, skill and fitness are all significant factors in becoming a jockey, as is a love of horses and a desire to win! Motivation and enthusiasm is essential. Click here to find out more about the Certificate IV in Racing (Jockey).