Craig Zackey (19) just finished his matric at the Academy of Choice for Jockey Training in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The academy is the only school in South Africa that trains jockeys and is unique because of its training programme.
This Brakpan resident says he is grateful his late grandfather Edward Zackey took him to the academy.
Apprentices are indentured to the South African Jockey Academy for the duration of their five-year apprenticeship.
While they are following an academic programme they are being trained in horsemanship and jockeyship.
Academy principal Graham Bailey says the average apprentice takes around six months before they start riding at the main training centres.
After this they do 18 months before they sign their papers to start riding in races.
During the next year they focus on developing their race riding techniques.
Once apprentices have completed their schooling they can be sent to the satellite centre in Gauteng.
Zackey currently receives his training at the centre where he focuses on race riding while being tutored and guided by a riding master.
Requirements
The age requirement for entering the academy is 15 years.
They also have to complete their Grade Nine year at school.
“The maximum age to consider is 20,” says Bailey.
Students write the National Senior Certificate through the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education with the subjects English, Afrikaans/isiZulu, mathematical literacy, life orientation, consumer studies, business studies, equine studies and stable management.
Physical requirements
Boys aged 15 should weigh 34kg, be 140cm in height and girls should weigh 40kg and be 150cm in height.
Aged 16 boys should weigh 38kg, be 147cm in height and girls should weigh 42k and be 152cm in height.
Aged 17 boys should weigh 42kg, be 155cm in height and girls should weigh 44kg and be 156cm in height.
Both boys; and girls’ shoe sizes should be between two and four.
To qualify as a professional jockey they have to complete the five years and need to ride 60 winners during that time.
Once qualified jockeys are a ‘free agent’, secure rides for themselves or get an agent.
Characteristics
“To become a jockey you need to have perserverance, courage, bravery, be hardworking and determined and be an andrenalin junkie,” says Bailey.
Daily work schedule
He describes the daily work schedule as very demanding.
The day starts at 4am from Monday to Saturday and work riding at 4.45am.
During the first six months they also need clean the horses, clean out the stables, ensure that the horses are fed and watered and take the horses to the paddocks.
“They then go to the biokineticist where they have individualised exercise programmes,” says Bailey.
After this they have breakfast, shower and clean up and class until lunch at 1pm..
Before lunch they have to collect their horses and take them into the stables for feeding.
School starts at 1.30pm until 2.30pm for Grade 10 and 11s.
After school they go back to the stables for the afternoon session with the horses.
The Grade 12s continue school until 3pm.
During afternoon sessions they do riding, video analysis, equiciser work, gym and stable work and finish at 5pm.
Costs
It costs R69 375 payable over the five years.
The training fee (inclusive) covers the jockeyship training, academic training, board and lodging and transportation.
The Academy is in the final stages of accreditation with The Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority and will shortly be offering, in addition to the matric certificate, a qualification in thoroughbred horseracing.
