ANOTHER 22 young people graduated from the SOLAS/KWETB Trainee Jockey programme at the Racing Academy & Centre of Education (RACE) on Friday June 23rd and the majority of the group are proceeding to take up employment in the industry.

Ten girls were among the group who successfully completed the 10-month residential programme and were presented with their certificates by John Oxx 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 a 50km overnight hike.

Guest of honour Owen Smyth, recent recipient of the overall Racing Excellence award at the Irish Stud & Stable Staff Awards, was on hand to present the various prizes and offer some words of encouragement and inspiration to the trainees and their families.

The main prize of ‘Trainee Jockey of the Year’ was awarded to Kevin Brogan from Kill in Co. Kildare with Jack Dineen, from Cork, as runner-up.

Rebecca Traynor from Wicklow and Lee Quinn from Limerick shared the ‘Most Improved Rider’ awards in the different categories, and Vicky Kalverboer from The Netherlands won the ‘Derek O’Sullivan Award’ for overall contribution to the course.

Kevin Brogan, who completed his work experience with trainer Robbie McNamara, is commencing employment in that yard and hoping to take out a licence in the near future. Jack Dineen is remaining with Christy Roche, while Rebecca Traynor will be working with Tony Martin and Lee Quinn is planning to resume employment with Conor O’Dwyer. Vicky Kalverboer, who completed her placement with John Oxx, will be returning home to progress her career.

Eilis Breathnach from Redcross, Co. Wicklow won the prize for Sportsperson of the Year and Emer Bradley won Best Classroom Effort. Vicky Kalverboer and Rebecca Traynor were both honoured for the notable achievement of earning distinctions in all eight modules. Other trainees commended on the day included Peter Kavanagh from Wexford , Sean Lewis from Galway and Loreena van Buuren from Meath.

A cheque was presented by trainees to Irish Injured Jockeys arising from their fund-raising efforts over the year, which included a sponsored Bogathon run in April.