The new apprentice jockeys who recently graduated from the Jockeys' School will begin riding on Wednesday following an intensive six-month training course. The batch of 19, including the lone female Georgina Sergeon, graduated at a ceremony on the lawns of the Jamaica Racing Commission, Winchester Road, last Thursday afternoon.

Sergeon, who gave the valedictory address, has secured two rides on the 10-race programme. She will be aboard the outsider MASS JOE in the second race over 1500 metres and SHE'S AGGRESSIVE in the sixth race over 1400 metres. Four of the recent graduates have secured rides in the second race where they will come up against two-time champion jockey Omar Walker, the success story of the previous batch in 2006.

well advanced

In addition to Sergeon, Fabion Jones is down to ride POINT AND CLICK, while Doushane Gordon has the leg over MAKE THEM LAFF with Ansley Dancel aboard FLYING FIRETAIL.

According to reports, Jones, Gordon and Dancel are the ones most likely to hit the ground running, having looked well advanced in their preparation. Sergeon, who broke an arm when falling from a horse at exercise midway through the course and was sidelined for weeks, has recovered much ground in her preparation as she bids to become only second Jamaican woman to ride a winner at Caymanas Park. The first was Azel Cowie, who booted home the Eileen Cliggott-trained HEARTESE to a historic victory on Saturday, January 25, 1992. Cowie was a graduate of the 1991 batch which included Clive Lynch and Paul Ramsay.

The 19 graduates are Sergeon, Gordon, Jones, Dancel, Jodeien Anderson, Vijay Ashley, Cavel Brown, Chalrick Budhai, Arthur Budhu, Aaron Chatrie, Richard Cole, Osive Donegal, Conrod Ellis, Jevvanne Erwin, Michael Grant, Robert Halledeen, Richard Mairs, Kareem Richardson-Garvey and Marlon Walcott, The youngsters were taught horsemanship by noted equestrian Susan Wates and riding techniques by former champion jockey Emilio 'Bimbo' Rodriquez.