The Dubbo Turf Club has been a second home for apprentice jockeys coming from across the region to learn the ins and outs of riding in the horse racing industry.

Ex-jockey and apprentice mentor Jamie Whitney has been teaching the young riders, keeping a professional eye on them since he stopped racing due to injury.

Once a month Mr Whitney and the apprentices get together at the Dubbo Turf Club to ride horses, analyse race videos and learn how to categorise a horse’s speed. They also practise their racing technique, rhythm and balance on a mechanical horse.

“I enjoy mentoring the apprentices and since the EI problem happened, everything seems to be back on track, which is good for them too,” Mr Whitney said.

The apprentices are looking forward to racing against trainee city slickers from Sydney on the next big race day for Dubbo, the Myer Spring Carnival Gold Cup.

The event will take place on Sunday September 14 from 12pm, at the Dubbo Turf Club.

It will be an opportunity for rising stars to show their talent and determination while up against others in their category.

Guests on the day will include the manager of the apprentice department Maurice Logue and apprentice mentor Malcolm Johnson.

Apprentices Jeremy Hammond and Kacie Chater said they both enjoyed racing horses and were looking forward to the Gold Cup day.

“I will not be able to be present on the actual race day, however I will be here on the Friday to help them prepare for Sunday,” Mr Whitney said.

“No one in my family has anything to do with horses, I thought one day I would give it a try, I liked it and have kept with it,” Jeremy Hammond said.

“It’s a bit different for girls, as the sport is traditionally a man’s sport,” Kacie Chater said.

dani.volke@ruralpress.com