Champion New Zealand apprentice jockey Amber Riddell is testing the waters in Australia over the next three months, with hopes of making the move permanent by Christmas.

Formerly based in Palmerston North, where she was apprenticed to Lisa Latta, Riddell had a season to remember last term, winning 80 races, including one at stakes level. Her tally put her at the top of the National apprentice premiership and third in the overall National jockeys’ premiership.

Riddell had set her sights on Australia after competing in the NARS (National Apprentice Race Series) at Eagle Farm in April, and she started to think more seriously about the move after she outrode her claim in New Zealand last month.

“We thought it was the right time to come over after I won the premiership and I had also just lost my claim in New Zealand,” Riddell said.

Riddell’s parents, Group One-winning jockey Jonathan Riddell and former trainer and jockey Trina Marshall, have strong links to Australia, and Riddell has used their network to link up with Sydney-based expat New Zealand trainer Bjorn Baker.

“My family are close with the Bakers, both Mum and Dad worked for Murray Baker (Bjorn’s father),” Riddell said.

While Riddell is currently on loan to Baker, she is hoping to make the transfer permanent.

“The loan period is three months, so that gives me a trial period, and I am hoping to stay on if it all goes well,” she said.

Riddell is aware of the task ahead of her to try and break into the competitive racing jurisdiction during their spring carnival, but she is hoping her three-kilogram claim in the city will assist her, and she is thankful to have the support of a top trainer.

“We are based at Warwick Farm and Bjorn’s horses race everywhere, including country and provincial as well,” Riddell said. “Obviously, it is pretty tough with the Sydney Carnival coming up, but I have already got a couple of rides lined up for this week.

“I have got two trial rides at Rosehill (on Tuesday) and I have got a ride at Warwick Farm on Wednesday on Kirribilli (for Baker).”

While Riddell has only recently arrived in Sydney, she is enjoying her time and can’t wait to settle into what she is hoping becomes her new home.

“I am really enjoying it, the horses are lovely, and it has been really nice,” she said. “Bjorn has got a big team of horses, about 130 in work, and he has some really nice horses.

“It is a big culture shock and I am still learning all the systems for racing here, but I am picking it up pretty fast.”

Apprentice Jockey Awards

Reflecting on the past season, Riddell swept the awards in her home region, being crowned the Central Districts’ leading apprentice as well as the Central Districts’ Jockey of the Year, alongside Bruno Queiroz.

“They (National apprentice premiership and leading Central Districts apprentice jockey) were both goals that I set for myself since I began my apprenticeship, so it was good to achieve that,” she said. “I also got CD Jockey of the Year, along with Bruno, so that was really special as well.

“It was great to be recognised for the big season I had, and it was good to tick all those goals off.”

Crystal Lindsay (left), Toni Davies and Amber Riddell with their Central Districts awards. Photo: Supplied

While Riddell was crowned the Leading Apprentice at the Central Districts Apprentice Jockey Awards, Toni Davies was named the Most Improved Apprentice, while Crystal Lindsay was named Head Pupil.

Donovan Cooper presented with his South Island Top Apprentice Jockey award by NZTR's Southern Education Co-ordinator/Apprentice School Tutor Hayley Thistoll. Photo: Supplied

At the Southern Apprentice Jockey Awards, Donovan Cooper was crowned Top Apprentice Jockey, Floor Moerman was named the Megan Taylor Most Promising Junior Rider, while Triston Moodley was bestowed the Ashlee Mundy Jockeys’ Choice Award.

Elen Nicholas with the Colin Jillings Trophy. Photo: Nicole Troost.

At the Northern Apprentice Jockey Awards on Monday evening, Elen Nicholas was presented the Colin Jillings Trophy as the Premier Apprentice Jockey, as well as the Paddy Murray Trophy for being Best Presented at Scales.

The other Northern award recipients included Hayley Hassman, who was awarded the Taiki Yanagida Trophy for Most Dedicated to Success; Sam McNab, who was awarded the Bill Simon Trophy for the Most Outstanding Ride by an Apprentice; Tom Wigram, who was awarded the Toby Autridge Trophy for the Most Promising First Year Apprentice; and Ashlee Strawbridge, who was awarded the Ngakau Hailey Trophy for the Most Improved Apprentice.