South African Apprentice Jockeys Tristan Godden and Eric Ngwane will be jetting off to the British Racing School in the first week of April, for a month, to complete the International Apprentice Course at the British Racing School campus in Newmarket as well ride work for various trainers and if there are any opportunities, possibly ride in races.
The South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) has partnered with the British Racing School (BRS), through funding from The Childwick Trust, which allows two of its Apprentices to be able to get such an opportunity. Tristan and Eric are the first South African Apprentice Jockeys selected and it is hoped that this first intervention is successful and that going forward more South African Apprentices will be given this opportunity.
Tristan and Eric, will initially be under the guidance of SAJA Principal, Graham Bailey, whom is going across briefly under invitation from the BRS to further finalise the partnership between SAJA and the BRS. Bailey said “The partnership between SAJA and the BRS is very exciting! We hosted Grant Harris, the BRS Chief Executive, and his wife in November last year and they really enjoyed their time here and were full of praise for the Academy and its Apprentices. The BRS has invited me on a reciprocal visit to finalise our partnership and agree on the potential areas for collaboration in the future. I must thank The Childwick Trust for their generous funding, which has made this partnership and its interventions possible!”
Tristan and Eric, said they were both humbled to be chosen for this opportunity and were looking forward to their time at the BRS. Tristan said “I’m very grateful and excited about this wonderful opportunity and I’m sure it will be an amazing experience and I will be looking to gain more knowledge and experience at the BRS which will allow me to have more opportunities when I qualify as a professional jockey.” While Eric said “This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I will make the most of it and hope to make South Africa, The Academy and my family proud!”