‘No good for their future’: Calls to overhaul Queensland’s apprentice system in favour of a jockey ‘academy’

Two of Queensland’s leading names have called for a dramatic shake up to the apprentice jockey system in Queensland, which would see them go through an “academy style” operation instead of being indentured to a trainer.

There is a push for the apprentice system in Queensland to be shaken up. Picture: Grant Peters— Trackside Photography.

There are calls for Queensland to walk away from its current apprentice jockey system and implement a central “academy” style organisation instead to hold young jockeys to greater account than they are now.

On the back of the Queensland Jockeys’ Association calling for Racing Queensland to implement a trust fund system for apprentices, which would see them paid a fraction of their wages, while the rest is held in trust for when they finish their apprenticeship, leading trainer Tony Gollan and legendary jockey-turned-trainer Chris Munce believe there needs to be significant change.

It’s understood Racing Queensland are currently working on revamping the current system, which could be up to two months away.

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Munce and Gollan both agreed apprentice jockeys were given too much rein in Queensland, with the ability to change “masters” seeing them bounce around from stable to stable.

“There has to be more knowledge of what the kids are doing, what they are up to and where they are at,” Munce said.

“It’s too easy for them to jump from stable to stable if they aren’t happy with something, if one trainer makes them do some extra work, they can walk out to a stable where they think they’ll get it easier.

“It’s no good for their future in the end, it might seem OK in the heat of the moment.

Chris Munce linked up with former champion apprentice Kyle Wilson-Taylor to win their first Group 1 together. Picture: Grant Peters — Trackside Photography.

“I have seen so many talented kids go by the wayside.”

Gollan, a 10-time champion trainer, has had a number of leading apprentices come through his stable, but he believes it is time to move away from the model which sees an apprentice indentured to a stable.

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“If there was to be an academy system, they would be employed by the academy rather than the trainers because there are just too many flaws in it,” Gollan said.

“You could have one in the north, one in the south, have two intakes and then they get farmed out to jurisdictions that suit them.

“Have an intake each year and teach them about the craft and get some discipline, now they can jump from master to master with very little tutelage.

“Some come out of their time and I’m not sure if they are any richer or any wiser for what they have been through.

“I think kids should want to strive to be in an academy, and when they finish it, they should be a better person, a better jockey and better prepared for the rigours of being a being a professional in this industry.

“It is the only apprenticeship in the world where they get paid the same as a fully fledged tradesman straight up, it doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Earlier this year, the QJA labelled the current system which sees apprentice jockeys earn from $1000 to $10,000 a week “a recipe for disaster.”

“Queensland is currently unlike any other state, the money of apprentice jockeys is not held in a trust or holding account,” QJA boss Glen Prentice said.

Originally published as ‘No good for their future’: Calls to overhaul Queensland’s apprentice system in favour of a jockey ‘academy’