JOCKEY SELECTION

Both male and female apprentices are considered for admission for an apprenticeship regardless of their race or creed, provided they meet the physical and academic criteria.

The Physical Criteria

Please note that the stats indicated below is a guideline and should be used as such.

This refers to the age and various body statistics of the applicant. The youngest admission age we consider is 15 years and the oldest admission age considered is 17 years. Below are the physical guidelines used in the selection process:

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*   The knee measurement is taken from the ground to the top of the knee when the applicant is seated.  
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Applicants may not exceed the measurements quoted above and, in addition, we also require the physical statistics of the applicant’s biological parents, as this is often an indicator of the applicant’s future growth pattern.

In addition to the size requirements, each applicant must be strong, fit and possess great stamina. They must have a developed sense of balance in order to cope with the movement of a horse.

The Academic Criteria
Applicants accepted as apprentice jockeys complete their schooling at the Academy and must have passed Grade 9 when they arrive to begin their apprenticeship. It is important to understand that until a pupil has not passed Grade 9; he/she will not be eligible for selection as an apprentice jockey.  

The Selection Process
Applicants who meet the physical and academic requirements will undergo a series of interviews and assessments to ascertain their suitability to the training and the profession. Successful applicants will then sign an Apprentice Indentures Agreement with The South African Jockey Academy for a minimum of five years, depending on individual progress and ability. 

Initial training will be conducted in Durban (Summerveld) and the training will be combined with a unit-standard based academic component. This component is tailor-made for a career in jockeyship and everything one learns, ecample, life skills, finance, communications and maths literacy will be specific and relevant to jockeyship. 

It is important to note that the training programme is very strict and demanding therefore an apprentice who fails to meet the required assessment and performance standards may be sent home at any stage during the training programme, irrespective of the training year.