New Zealand’s apprentice jockey ranks went from strength-to-strength last term, and the standout performers were recently recognised at the Northern, Central Districts and South Island Apprentice Awards.

At the Central Apprentice Academy Prizegiving, Lily Sutherland collected her second consecutive Leading Apprentice Award. The 21-year-old rode out her claim early in the season and was sidelined for the last three months through injury, but still steered home 64 winners, claiming the 2024/25 National Apprentice Premiership and was fourth among her senior counterparts.

Of her 64 victories, seven were at stakes level, including the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) with Kopua, Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2050m) with Val Di Zoldo and Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) aboard He’s Lucid.

Sutherland is indentured to Kevin Myers, alongside Amber Riddell, who won the Most Improved Award after an outstanding first season riding as a professional. Riddell rode 53 winners to finish second in the premiership, highlighted by four wins in one meeting at Riverton over Easter.

The final award, Head Pupil for all-round dedication to their profession, was presented to Toni Davies.

Davies rode 29 winners including her first stakes victory aboard Ruby Rocks in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m). The 25-year-old recently rode her 50^th winner and was rapt to be acknowledged for her dedication over the season.

“It’s always great to be recognised for that kind of thing, obviously in this game we like to get that kind of exposure so it was pretty cool,” she said. “I’ve had a massive amount of support around me so I’m very grateful.

“Winning the Marton Cup was a surreal feeling and especially to get it for Roger Allen, who has given me so many opportunities since I came down here. There’s nothing quite like getting your first stakes winner.

“My boss (Peter Didham) has been a massive help, as has Kim (Clapperton), my mentor, they have been there for me a lot along the way.

“I hope to keep improving and keeping that momentum up and hopefully get on some more fast horses. I am open to travelling anywhere that anyone wants me, it’s great to get connections both in and out of the CD.”

CD Jockey Mentor, Kim Clapperton with CD Head Pupil, Toni Davies. Photo credit: Paul Maka-Kea

In the South Island, Yogesh Atchamah won his third Top Apprentice Jockey Award in a row, riding a career-best 40 winners. He has recently ridden his 80^th winner and is down to a one-kilo claim, something he hopes to achieve before completing his apprenticeship in late November.

“It was a big achievement for my career, getting 40 winners and winning the apprentice award again,” Atchamah said.

Yogesh Atchama, winner of the Top Apprentice Jockey Award, with Southern Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking. Photo: supplied.

“I need to thank all of the trainers that supported me, especially my boss Andrew Carston and Anna Furlong, she was a massive supporter of me and gave me a lot of nice rides. I rode four winners on Iffididit, one of Anna’s horses, he has been a very special horse for me.

“Kelvin Tyler, Graham Eade, Ross Beckett, there were too many to name but I’m so grateful for all of them, it wouldn’t be possibly without that support.

“I’m nearly finished my apprenticeship, my last meeting will be Cromwell, so two more months to go. I’ve been trying to keep improving myself all the way through, so to finish just claiming one (kilogram) is great.”

Floor Moerman kicked off her riding career in late November and rode eight winners through the remainder of the season, earning the Megan Taylor Most Promising Junior Rider Award. She was also awarded the Ashlee Mundy Jockeys’ Choice Award, chosen by the South Island Senior Jockeys.

Floor Moerman, winner of the Megan Taylor Most Promising Junior Rider Award and Ashlee Mundy Jockeys' Choice Award, with Southern Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking. Photo: supplied.

The Milan Park 2025 Apprentice Jockey Awards were held on Monday night and it was a tonic for several of the award winners, including the Colin Jillings Trophy Milan Park Premier Apprentice Jockey Award winner Triston Moodley.

Moodley rode his first stakes winner courtesy of Spencer in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) in October and picked up serious momentum through the second half of the season, which was unfortunately halted when he was kicked in the head in the mounting yard at the Waipa trials in July.

“I didn’t expect it to be honest, I thought Ace (Lawson-Carrooll) got in front of me at the end, but I was very glad to get it,” he said.

“When my boss (Danny Walker, trainer) let me know, I was quite chuffed with myself. It was a hard time towards the end of the season, but to get that award, it just means a lot and makes it all worth it.”

Prior to the incident, Moodley had accumulated 52 winners and is nearing the 100-win mark, assisted by a four-win haul for Robbie Patterson at the apprentice-only day at New Plymouth in June.

Another sidelined hoop, Ace Lawson-Carroll, was awarded the Taiki Yanagida Trophy Most Dedicated To Succeed. He was also enjoying a career-best season with 51 winners, before his mount was brought down in a four-horse fall at Te Rapa in late July.

Other accolades were awarded to Hayley Hassman (Toby Autridge Trophy Most Promising First Year Apprentice Jockey), Rihaan Goyaram (Ngakau Hailey Trophy Most Improved Apprentice Jockey), and Tayla Mitchell/Maria Sanson (Paddy Murray Trophy Best Presented at Scales).

Mitchell collected a second award, the Bill Simon Trophy, for the Most Outstanding Ride by an Apprentice (Blue Sky at Night - Eagle Technology Avondale Cup).

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2024-25 Apprentice Award Winners

Central

• Leading Apprentice, sponsored by Manawatu Thoroughbred Owners Association & Claridge Equine Education - Lily Sutherland
• Head Pupil, sponsored by Hyland Racewear & Claridge Equine Education - Toni Davies
• Most Improved, sponsored by Hyland Racewear & Manawatu Thoroughbred Trainers Association - Amber Riddell

Southern

• Ashlee Mundy Jockeys' Choice Award - Floor Moerman
• Megan Taylor Most Promising Junior Rider - Floor Moerman
• Canterbury/Westland Racing Owners Association (Inc) and Garrads Horse and Hound Top Apprentice Jockey - Yogesh Atchamah

Northern

• Most Improved Apprentice Jockey, sponsored by Lee Somervell - Rihaan Goyaram
• Most Promising First Year Apprentice, sponsored by Stephen & Lynley Autridge - Hayley Hassman
• Best Presented at Scales, sponsored by Rodney Saunders & Margaret Parle - Tayla Mitchell & Maria Sanson
• Most Outstanding Ride by an Apprentice, sponsored by George & Maryanne Simon - Tayla Mitchell
• Most Dedicated to Succeed, sponsored by Lance & Bridgette O’Sullivan, Ted & Lynnda McLachlan, Pam Gerard & Tommy Hazlett - Ace Lawson-Carroll
• Premier Apprentice Jockey Award, sponsored by Milan Park - Triston Moodley