National Apprentice Race Series returns in 2021

Racing Queensland has today announced the 13 jockeys that will represent the state in this year’s National Apprentice Race Series.
 
The Queensland team is headlined by the inclusion of rising star Justin Huxtable, who currently sits sixth in the Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership.
 
The series commences at Murray Bridge in South Australia tomorrow (5/5), where Queensland will be represented by Toowoomba’s Tessa Townsend.
 
The second heat of the series will take place in Hobart where Atherton Tablelands-based hoop Rachel Shred will don the maroon and will be joined by Emerald’s Emma Bell.
 
Huxtable will officially represent Queensland when the series makes its way to Doomben on May 26, in a meeting that will also showcase 10 of the state’s most promising apprentices, including Kyle Wilson-Taylor, Sheriden Tomlinson and Madeleine Wishart.
 
Finally, Wishart, who claimed her first Listed triumph earlier this year aboard the Mitchell Fry-trained Flash Aah, will close out the series in Victoria on June 16.
 
Racing Queensland EGM Operations Adam Wallish said that he welcomes the return of the National Apprentice Race Series in 2021, after last year’s event was largely abandoned due to COVID-19.
 
“The National Apprentice Race Series is a fantastic concept for apprentices nation-wide, and allows the best and brightest up-and-comers here in Queensland to experience various tracks across the country,” Mr Wallish said.
 
“Our apprentice ranks at the moment are the strongest they have been for some time, with rising stars like Kyle Wilson-Taylor and Madeleine Wishart really making their mark in the Sunshine State.
 
“After last year’s races were largely abandoned, I look forward to following the series return in 2021, watching our young Queensland hoops compete with the best that the other states have to offer.”
 
There will be two apprentice races at Doomben on May 26, including a NARS heat, where a $5000 bonus will also be paid to the winning trainer of each respective race.
 
First held in 2008, the series draws together apprentices from across the country to represent their state in a collection of races in six states and territories.
 
Points are awarded for the top five placings in each leg of the series, with the state that accumulates the most points crowned the winner.
 
Each rider will again wear coloured breeches for their state, in conjunction with an advertising campaign across the country announcing ‘The Future Has Arrived.’
 
Queensland will be represented by the following: