Five new apprentices have been inducted into the Racing SA Apprentice Academy including a former national level boxing champion, and the daughter of well-respected local jockey Justin Potter.
18-year-old Sophie Potter has grown up around the racing industry and is apprenticed to Morphettville and Pakenham based trainer Phillip Stokes.
“Oh super exciting it’s definitely been something when I was a little girl I always dreamed of being part of the Apprentice Academy and it’s finally happened,” said Sophie.
“When I was really little before I started school I always wanted to be a jockey I used to run around in dad’s silks and I ended up getting my own little silk set made for me.
“I’d go to track work before I even started school, and I’d go to the track and sit on some of the race horses and walk around on them,” she said.
Sophie joins another 18-year-old in Tahlia Hardy who’s surfing background has complimented her riding. Tahlia is ready to take the next step under the mentorship of Jon O’Connor.
“Tahlia started with us here about 18 months ago now and I was surprised just how advanced she was when she first came,” said Jon.
“She was only riding a couple most mornings and we threw her in the deep end a little bit and she went from riding two or three to a dozen or so each morning very quickly, but she handled it really really well, probably better than expected and certainly got some natural talent, and a very well balanced rider.
“Tahlia rides a few of the naughtier ones and seems to enjoy that challenge and she’s very good at it,” he said.
Former boxer Jayden Kerr also joins the Academy and has impressed employing trainer Stuart Gower with his athleticism and work ethic.
“It’s exciting news finally being told that I’m going to get into the Apprentice Academy. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time and have been putting a lot of work and effort into,” the 21-year-old said.
“I loved my sports growing up whether it be athletics or soccer, and later on I started boxing. I don’t like to build myself up but I had a few achievements, a few state titles and golden gloves, a national title. I’ve had some great achievements in boxing that I’m really proud of,” said Jayden.
Twenty-nine-year-old apprentice Rachael Kraemer joins the Academy from Naracoorte. After being knocked back in 2022 Rachael has worked incredibly hard for boss Sue Murphy to develop her riding.
“I’m really excited to be a part of the program it just means the world to me,” said Rachael.
“It’s been a bit of an arduous path to get to where I am today but I appreciate everyone persisting with me and helping me through it. Thank you very much to everyone involved,” she said.
Murray Bridge based apprentice Alyssa Webb has been forced to work harder than most to secure her spot. The talented 22-year-old lives with crohn’s disease
“When I was 16 I was diagnosed with crohn’s disease which is inflammation bowel disease. Doing such a high level sport for me is very difficult, it affects my immune system especially with the medications that I have to take. But I’ve always had a passion for horses and they’ve helped me through a lot. Even when I was in hospital I just wanted to get out and go riding and see my own horses and they’ve always been there for me,” she said.
