TWENTY-three students graduated from the SOLAS/KWETB Trainee Jockey programme at the Racing Academy & Centre of Education (RACE) on Friday June 21st, and the majority are now proceeding to take up employment in the industry.

Twelve girls were among the group who successfully completed the 10-month residential programme and were presented with their certificates and prizes by John Oxx and Michael Halford at a ceremony on the Kildare campus. This year’s graduates received a QQI Level 4 award in Horsemanship (Racehorse Care & Riding) along with a bronze Gaisce award for completing all four elements of the personal achievement programme including charity fund-raising and an overnight hike.

The main prize of ‘Trainee Jockey of the Year’ was awarded to Eamonn Fitzgerald from Clane in Co. Kildare, with Cork woman Sarah Verling the runner-up.

Luke Carberry from Meath and Jamie Powell from Kildare shared the ‘Most Improved Rider’ awards, while Roisin Hennessy from Wicklow won the ‘Derek O’Sullivan Award’ for overall contribution to the course.

Eamonn Fitzgerald, who completed his work experience with trainer Michael Halford, is commencing employment in that yard. Luke Carberry is starting work with Aidan Howard, while Jamie Powell will continue working with John Oxx and Roisin Hennessy has commenced with Ross O’Sullivan.

Eamonn Fitzgerald also won the prize for Sportsperson of the Year, while Conor Ryan won Best Classroom Effort and Mirta Orsulic achieved the Best Academic Performance by earning distinctions in all eight modules.

Other trainees commended on the day included Kieran McGrath from Waterford who is going to work for Joseph O’Brien, Sean Carey from Meath who is working with Alan Fleming, Chloe Byrne from Kildare who now works for Ted Walsh, Sophia Jones from Wicklow who is with John Oxx, and Niamh O’Growney from Clare who is working with Michael Halford.

Cheques were presented by trainees to three charities – animal rescue My Lovely Horse, the Injured Jockeys Fund and Pieta House – arising from their fund-raising efforts over the year, which included a sponsored Bogathon run.

Nine of the group will be remaining in residence at RACE for another year as they progress their careers and several of them will be taking the opportunity to further their education by completing a Level 5 Horsemanship award on a part-time basis.