Rochelle Milnes honoured as Dux of SA Apprentice Academy on Thursday night

South Australian jockey Rochelle Milnes has quickly established herself as a rising star in the saddle and has a few goals she wants to tick off this year.

Rochelle Milnes has only been race riding for three seasons, yet seeing her name printed boldly on the winner’s list has become commonplace.

With 103 winners in 2024, including three metro trebles, Milnes, 22, established herself as South Australia’s rising star in the saddle, and to the surprise of no one, Milnes was awarded Dux of the Racing SA Apprentice Academy on Thursday night.

“It is a thrill. I’m really proud of myself, it takes a lot of hard work, but it’s something you aspire to do,” Milnes, who hails from Port Lincoln, said.

“I’m really glad that I’ve been given the opportunities that have allowed me to be here now.”

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Milnes’ crowning moment as Dux capped a sensational period that also saw her finish runner-up to Jake Toeroek in the John Letts Medal, alongside winning the Metropolitan Apprentice of the Year title in 2023/24.

Her feats in the saddle were also recognised by the senior riders, who voted her as the winner of the South Australian Jockeys’ Association Endeavour and Sportsmanship Medal.

“I was really surprised to receive that, I’m so honoured, they said some really beautiful things that go with the award, and how you get it, and to be recognised by even a few of them is really special for me,” she said.

Milnes (left) and 2023 Dux winner Ben Price. Picture: Racing SA

• Irrigation setback has Gawler aiming for March

Tied atop the metro premiership with Lachlan Neindorf on 24 wins, Milnes is a genuine contender in the Adelaide jockeys’ title this season, and has her sights set on a maiden stakes win this year.

“I would love to get a black-type win, a listed race under the belt would be awesome,” Milnes said.

“I had a whole heap of chances now and I just can’t run down that winner, once I get that I can move on to the next goal, I’m certainly looking forward to getting the opportunity again.”

It was an evening dominated by the girls, with Alana Livesey finishing as Dux runner-up, and taking home the South Australian Racing Owners Association ‘Above and Beyond’ Award.

Livesey rode in 788 races across the twelve month period, more than any other apprentice.

“Runner-up to the Dux is an absolute honour, obviously Rochelle has had a fantastic year, I think we all knew, she was pretty short odds for that, but to get the award voted by the owners is fantastic, without them, we don’t have racing,” Livesey said.

The Dux Runner Up for 2024, Alana Livesey 💙

An outstanding year from the apprentice with the most rides, Alana's hard-work does not go unnoticed in the industry and is a favourite amongst the owners.#ApprenticeAwards2024pic.twitter.com/9NTylG4ONu

— Racing SA (@RacingSA) January 30, 2025

• Dwyer declares Adelaide the goal for globetrotting Asfoora

Milnes and Livesey weren’t the only award winners on the night, with another six female apprentices taking home their share of honours.

Promising apprentice Tala Hutchinson won the Best Winning Strike Rate Award after holding a 16 per cent win rate across the 12 months, while her win aboard Lunar Solar at Naracoorte saw her recognised with the Minister for Racing Ride of the Year.

An emotional Felicity Atkinson accepted the Caitlin Forrest Memorial Award, awarded by the Forrest family.

Atkinson grew up showjumping with Forrest, who tragically passed away in a race fall in 2014.

The Simone Montgomerie Encouragement Award for a first year apprentice went to Sophie Mitchell, while Caitlin Tootell won the Rising Star for second and third year apprentices.

A three-way tie saw Alana Livesey (Novus Actus), Maggie Collett (Sir Now) and Caitlyn Munro (Oli Alpine) share The Longest Priced Winner Award, all hoops saluted aboard gallopers who were $100 odds.

Originally published as Rochelle Milnes honoured as Dux of SA Apprentice Academy on Thursday night