A TOTAL of 28 young people graduated from the SOLAS/KWETB Trainee Jockey programme at the Racing Academy & Centre of Education (RACE) on Friday, June 26th and most are proceeding to take up immediate employment in the industry.

Eleven girls were among the group who successfully completed the 10-month residential programme and were presented with their certificates by RACE chairman John Oxx at a ceremony on the Kildare campus.

This year’s graduates received a FETAC Level 4 award in Horsemanship (Racehorse Care & Riding). In addition, 22 of the trainees achieved a bronze Gaisce award by completing all four elements of the personal achievement programme including charity fund-raising and a 50km overnight hike in the Slieve Bloom mountains.

The main prize of Trainee Jockey of the Year was awarded to Jack Collins from Cratloe in Co Clare, with Tipperary man Shane Mulcahy as runner-up.

Matthew Lynch from Tipperary and Thomas Sherry from Dublin shared the Most Improved Rider awards and Siobhan Rutledge from Meath won the Derek O’Sullivan Award for overall contribution to the course.

Jack Collins, who completed his work experience in John Oxx’s yard, is heading to Britain to secure his conditional licence and take up a position with Nicky Richards.

Shane Mulcahy was on placement with Conor O’Dwyer and has returned to work for Con Marnane at Bansha House Stables, while Thomas Sherry has commenced employment with Michael Halford. Other trainees commended on the day included Jamie Colgan from Monasterevin who is working with Christy Roche, Sean Davis from Maynooth who is based with Michael O’Callaghan and Ellen Hennessy from Naas who expects to be signed on as an apprentice by Kevin Prendergast in the near future.

Shane Mulcahy won the prize for Sportsperson of the Year while Niamh Cassidy was rewarded with Best Academic Performance and James Farrelly for Best Classroom Effort. Cheques for €1,000 each were presented by trainees to their two nominated charities - Irish Injured Jockeys and Mental Health Ireland - arising from their fund-raising efforts over the year, which included a sponsored run on the Curragh in May.

For more information contact: Keith Rowe, Director, RACE, Curragh House, Dublin Road, Kildare; keith.rowe@racingacademy.ie Tel: 045-522468

www.racingacademy.ie