Apprentices Conditions

Over the past few months, the workload on apprentices has been highlighted.

The amount of work for an apprentice jockey is different now compared to 20 years ago.

The wall-to-wall racing, the distance travelled to ride at these meetings and the wasting.

Racing Victoria has acted quickly and agreed to implement a number of initiatives aimed at maintaining an appropriate and balanced work/life balance.

The chief executives of Racing Victoria, the Australian Trainers' Association and the VJA met in June to discuss the wellbeing, workload and development of apprentice jockeys in the context of the current racing program.

Racing Victoria chief executive Bernard Saundry said "We have unanimously agreed on a series of short-term initiatives in the best interests of the wellbeing, workload and development of apprentice jockeys,"

"In addition, we will collectively spend the next six months undertaking a more thorough review of all aspects of an apprentice jockeys employment and seek industry input on what is the best future model.

Initiatives to be introduced in Victoria

• The number of consecutive days an apprentice can ride reduced from nine to six
• Apprentices banned from riding at two meetings on one day
• A commitment to educate and reinforce the importance requiring apprentices to receive a 10-hour break between their commitments from one day to the next
• Education sessions with apprentices, their employer (trainer) and rider agent on how to best manage the rider
• A review to consider the most appropriate long-term conditions and terms of employment for apprentices

At this moment, discussions are taking place in other states looking at improving the working conditions of apprentice jockeys.