Becoming A Jockey: Do you have what it takes?

The first step to becoming an apprentice jockey at the South African Jockey Academy can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. For many new recruits, the arrival at the academy is a significant step in a lifelong journey to becoming a professional athlete. In part 1 of “Becoming A Jockey”, we get an inside look at what it's like on the first day of recruitment for new “freshman”. Recruitment Day marks the beginning of the application process for the new potential apprentices. Candidates who pass Recruitment Day will then progress to a 1-week basic training program that all future apprentices are required to complete.