Apprentice jockey Rochelle Milnes set to win 2024-25 Adelaide jockeys’ premiership

Rochelle Milnes doesn’t crave the limelight or dwell on individual accolades but her brilliance in the saddle has her destined for both.

Rochelle Milnes with an ex-thoroughbred at John Dunn and Krystal Bishop’s property in Oakbank on Monday. Picture: Racing SA

Rochelle Milnes doesn’t crave the limelight or dwell on individual accolades but her brilliance in the saddle has her destined for both.

The rising star of South Australian racing is poised to win this season’s Adelaide jockeys’ premiership and become the first apprentice to secure the title since Jamie Melham in 2012-13.

The 23-year-old from Port Lincoln has 44 city wins – a lead of four over nearest rival Lachlan Neindorf heading into Saturday’s Lightning Stakes Day at Morphettville, as the curtain closes on the 2024-25 season.

Milnes’ first full season at metro-level has been remarkable, with three city trebles and a bold frontrunning ride aboard Silent Surrente to win the Group 2 Adelaide Cup.

Rochelle Milnes celebrates her Adelaide Cup win aboard Silent Surrente in March. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

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The young gun has the statewide jockeys’ premiership sewn up and will become just the second apprentice in 30 years to win that title after Jason Holder achieved the feat in 1995-96.

But with nine races still to be run at Morphettville on Saturday, Milnes won’t be caught looking too far ahead.

“It’s nice to have a little bit of a buffer,” Milnes, who is indentured to John Dunn & Krystal Bishop, said.

“I’d say four is a good amount, but to be honest, you never count your chickens before they hatch – I definitely won’t go the early crow.”

"Oh yes Rochelle!"

A bold front-running ride from Rochelle Milnes sees Silent Surrente make it a local winner in the 2025 Adelaide Cup! 🏆@[e-mail]/mmMV9UqQpN

— Racing.com (@Racing) March 10, 2025

What loomed as a battle between Milnes and fellow apprentice Taylor Johnstone has been infiltrated by Neindorf, who has torpedoed into second courtesy of a late season surge.

“I’ve felt like a bit of a frontrunner that has started to lose some legs late,” she said.

“If anyone can do it, it’s definitely Lachy, he’s making a good charge late. It was nice to chip one away (Saturday) and keep my head above water.”

Milnes won’t lose sleep over the premiership, however – she handles the pressure, which is a good trait to have in an industry in which the stakes are high and the pressure enormous.

“It’s (premiership) not the be-all and end-all with my goals, but it’s a nice goal to achieve,” Milnes said.

“I’ve tried not to worry too much about it. Win, lose or draw, to get a big season out of the way (will be good), obviously I can’t complain with the season I’ve had.

“Even if I did come second or third, I’m not upset in any way – I’ve had a really good year.”

Rochelle Milnes with two of her off the track thoroughbreds. Picture: Racing SA

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Milnes was awarded Dux of the SA Apprentice Academy in January. She’s also the face of Racing SA’s national advertising campaign, galloping down the causeway of Lake MacDonnell aboard one of her ex-thoroughbreds.

Milnes’ achievements have surpassed anything she could’ve imagined and the origin of her success is a passion for horses that began as a youngster.

She is simply doing what she loves. It just so happens that she’s very, very good at it.

“I just love the horses, they have the old saying, ‘do a job you love and you never work a day in your life’, and that’s really how I feel … being in the horse industry and even better being in the racing industry,” she said.

“(The success) wasn’t in my wildest imagination.

“Having my first race ride, I was just hoping to get a winner, it’s happened so fast.

“I’ve really enjoyed the ride, I think all the achievements along the way have been above anything I could have hoped or asked for really.”

Originally published as Apprentice jockey Rochelle Milnes set to win 2024-25 Adelaide jockeys’ premiership