National Apprentice Race Series returns in 2022

Racing Queensland has today confirmed the 11 jockeys that will represent the state in this year’s National Apprentice Race Series.

The Queensland team is headlined by the inclusion of the state’s top-two apprentices, Jaden Lloyd and Kyle Wilson-Taylor, who sit third and fourth respectively in the Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership.

The series commences at Strathalbyn in South Australia on Wednesday, March 9, where Queensland will be represented by Toowoomba young gun Angela Jones.

Lloyd will be Queensland’s official representative when the series makes its way to Doomben on March 16, in a meeting that will also showcase nine of the state’s most promising apprentices, including Leah Kilner, Wendy Peel and Madeleine Wishart.

The third heat moves to Hobart on March 27 where Melea Castle will don the maroon, before the series culminates at Sandown in Victoria on March 30, with Wilson-Taylor leading the charge.

Racing Queensland EGM Operations Adam Wallish said that he is excited to see Queensland’s most promising riders represent the Sunshine State throughout the National Apprentice Race Series.

“The National Apprentice Race Series continues to be a fantastic concept for apprentices across the nation, and allows some of Queensland’s best and brightest to travel interstate and experience a number of tracks across the country,” Mr Wallish said.

“Our apprentice ranks continue to flourish and remain as strong as ever, evidenced by both Jaden Lloyd and Kyle Wilson-Taylor’s respective seasons, which sees them both at the top end of the metropolitan premiership.

“I look forward to following the series return in 2022, 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 March 16, 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 to represent their state in a collection of races across the country.

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: