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Queensland out to win back National Apprentice Race Series title

18 March 2025

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Queensland’s National Apprentice Race Series team will be looking to reclaim the title in 2025, with Racing Queensland today announcing the five jockeys selected to represent the state.

The Queensland team will be led by series veteran Emily Lang, who sits firmly atop the Metropolitan Jockey and Apprentice Premiership standings with 46 wins so far this season.

Joining Lang as the Sunshine State’s official representatives will be Rob Thorburn, Olivia Kendal, Cody Collis and Jace McMurray.

After claiming the coveted NARS trophy for the first time in 2023, the Queensland team will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign where they finished at the bottom of the standings.

The series commences in Hobart on Sunday, March 23, where rising star Rob Thorburn will represent Queensland for the first time.

Olivia Kendal will then make the trip from Ipswich to Darwin to don the maroon and continue her red-hot form, before the series heads west to Ascot, Western Australia, where Cody Collis will fly the flag for Queensland.

Jace McMurray, who is apprenticed to Gold Coast trainer Adam Campton, will also make his debut for the state when the series makes its way to Murray Bridge in South Australia on April 9.

Lang said it was an honour to captain the team and follow in the footsteps of former skippers Angela Jones and Cejay Graham who are now firmly entrenched in the senior riding ranks.

“I’ve obviously been involved with the team for the past two years and it was a great thrill the first year we were able to take it out and win the whole event,” Lang said.

“Unfortunately, last year a few things didn’t really go our way and we didn’t have much luck and ended up coming in last, so obviously we can only get better from there.

“We’ve got a couple of new faces on the team this year that are quite good riders so I think we’ve got quite a strong team and very good chance of bouncing back this year.”

L-R: Bailey Wheeler, Olivia Kendal, Cody Collis, RQ Senior Apprentice Coach Shane Scriven, Emily Lang, Jace McMurray, Rob Thorburn.

The action returns home to Doomben for the series finale on April 16, where a five-strong Queensland contingent take the reins, with a champion state to be crowned on the day.

Leading the way on the final day will be Lang, who already sits 14 victories clear in the race for the Queensland Apprentice Premiership.

“The National Apprentice Race Series is a fantastic initiative for young apprentices across Australia, and our Queensland team is determined to win back the title after claiming it in 2023,” RQ Senior Apprentice Coach Shane Scriven said.

“With Emily Lang taking over as captain, we are confident the Queensland squad that has been assembled will be able to take back the NARS bragging rights for another year.

“The series is a brilliant way to have some of Queensland’s best up-and-comers experience riding at different tracks nation-wide, and look forward to watching the series unfold over the coming weeks.”

Both Queensland heats will be run for $45,000, with a $5,000 bonus once again on offer to the winning trainer of each respective race.

 

DATE

VENUE

JOCKEY

23-03-25

Hobart, Tasmania

Rob Thorburn

28-03-25

Darwin, Northern Territory

Olivia Kendal

02-04-25

Ascot, Western Australia

Cody Collis

09-04-25

Murray Bridge, South Australia

Jace McMurray

16-04-25

Doomben, Queensland

Emily Lang

16-04-25

Doomben, Queensland

Tahlia Fenlon

16-04-25

Doomben, Queensland

Bailey Wheeler

16-04-25

Doomben, Queensland

Jace McMurray

16-04-25

Doomben, Queensland

Cody Collis