Apprentices changing the face of racing

Victoria’s racing industry has a pipeline of hard-working, talented and trailblazing women and their presence in racing continues to gain momentum. 

Ten of the 11 new inductees in the 2024 Racing Victoria Apprentice Jockey Training Program (AJTP) are females and during the next four years, the budding hoops will be guided by Apprentice Jockey coaches, Darren Gauci and Alf Matthews. They will also be supported by industry experts in equine welfare, performance analysis, personal wellbeing, nutrition, physiotherapy, media, finance and business management. 

The high-performance program prepares apprentices for a national and international career and combines theory with hands-on racing experience. It is rigorous, demanding and highly competitive, so what makes some of Australia’s promising future jockeys apply? 

Hayley Spitse grew up on a dairy farm in Nullawarre, outside Warrnambool and joined Pony Club when she was 11. She began eventing, but during Year 10 work experience, she was bitten by the racing bug. 

Hayley spent two weeks in the stables of Darren Weir and suddenly two weeks turned into a few years of weekend and holiday work. 

“I missed my valedictory party, my deb after-party and I didn’t have an 18th because I wanted to take horses to the races,” said Hayley. 

“Mum woke at 3.00 am every Saturday morning to drive me to work so I could go to the races and strap at Caulfield or Flemington. I was thrown in the deep end.” 

After Year 12, Hayley got a full-time job with Symon Wilde and improved her trackwork skills with trainer Anne McGrath.  

“Anne put me on her nice horses and gave me a crack and Symon gave me my first gallop and first jump-out. He sent me out solo for a gallop and the feeling of having full control of a horse and the responsibility that comes with that were incredible. I’ll never forget that day,” said Hayley. 

Hayley’s Dutch-born parents were keen for her to have a Plan B, so she also studied equine management and business, but her heart was set on racing. 

“I was very driven during the application process. I knew the coaches wanted to see improvement and I constantly asked for feedback,” said Hayley, who is apprenticed to Ben, JD and Will Hayes at their new Pakenham stables.  

“I’m excited to tick off milestones, like my first race ride and first win. Initially, my parents were hesitant because they don’t know the racing industry, but they’ve seen how hard I’ve worked and they’re very proud. 

“It’s not an easy career and there will be highs and lows but at the end of the day, I’d like to be recognised as a real horsewoman.” 

Hong Kong-born Chris Pang’s career began when his sport science teacher suggested he had the right physique to become a jockey. He referred Chris to an apprentice school but after a year or so, Chris decided to instead pursue work as a track rider.  

“I was a bit of a nerd when I was younger! I studied and I never grew up around racing and horses, but when my teacher suggested becoming a jockey, I thought I’d see what it was like. But the timing wasn’t right and I wasn’t focused enough then,” he said. 

Ten years ago, at the age of 18, Chris decided to broaden his racing experience and applied for a job at Lindsay Park Racing in Euroa. He worked in stables around NSW and South Australia before settling in Victoria where, for the past 18 months, Chris has been based with Leon and Troy Corstens at Flemington. 

“I quit my job, left my family behind and moved to Australia for something different. I couldn’t speak English very well but people were willing to give me a chance,” he said. 

“I started from zero because things were done differently here, such as how the horses were walked and trotted. I was lucky to get a lot of guidance.” 

Chris decided to stay in Australia and when he became a citizen four years ago, he decided it was time to step up his racing career. He applied for the Apprentice Jockey Training Program then but wasn’t successful. He’s happy to be successful this year. 

“Jockeys and trainers that I rode with were asking me why I didn’t do the apprenticeship. They thought I’d make a good jockey and it was time to step outside my comfort zone,” said Chris. 

He’s already tasted success. On the very first day he had a ride as an apprentice in late March, Chris won the Kerang Cup on Look Sharpish. 

“I didn’t expect a win on my first day – that’s a good start!” he said.   

Riding is second nature to Benalla-born Brittany Button who could ride a horse before she could talk! 

“My sisters and I competed in show jumping, eventing and Pony Club, and Mum trained pacers. Mum let me join Pony Club when I was four because her rule was that we could only join when we could saddle our own horses,” said Brittany. 

By 14, she rode trackwork before school every morning.  

“I started at 5.00 am and rode for a few hours before Mum drove me to school. I’d change into my uniform in the car,” recalls Brittany.   

After Year 12, Brittany continued full-time as a trackworker for trainers in Wangaratta until two years ago when she was offered a job by Gerald Egan, whom she’s apprenticed to.  

“I applied for the program a few years ago but this year I was ready mentally for the heavy workload,” said Brittany. Her progress is being supported by Gerald and by trainer, Andrew Dale.  

By late April, Brittany had five wins under her belt. In early March, on her first day of riding, she earned her first win on Chairman’s Choice at Towong Cup Day. Later in the month she rode Jayzeal to victory at Leeton and finished the day with a win on Wagunda. 

“Wagunda is tricky and he launched into the air and for the first 100m I didn’t have a left stirrup. It was his first race after returning from an injury, so winning that day on him was pretty special,” said Brittany.  

“There’s a lot of hard work ahead and getting enough sleep is probably the hardest part of the job, but it’s been my lifestyle for the past 10 years. I’m used to it now and I’m ready. I’m a good listener and I like criticism so I can improve on my performance. I can’t wait to become a successful jockey further down the line.”