kiwiz
13th November 2015, 04:31 AM
Source AAP
Jockeys in Victoria will be eligible to apply for a dual licence as a trainer from the start of next season.
Racing Victoria will allow dual licences from August, a move aimed at increasing the opportunities for jockeys to make a career transition.
"We recognise it is important for jockeys to be afforded opportunities to career transition into other areas of the industry should they so desire, and the changes to our licensing policy means they can seek permission to combine riding and training duties from the start of the 2016-17 season," RV's Dayle Brown said.
"In the interests of integrity, dual licence holders who have a horse engaged in a race will not be allowed to ride any other horse in the race without specific approval of the stewards, nor will they be able to accept with multiple horses trained by them in any one race."
Other changes to RV's licensing policy also announced on Thursday include the requirement that jockeys ride in a minimum number of races over the course of the year.
A flat jockey will need to ride in a minimum 24 races annually while apprentice riders and `A' jumps jockeys must compete in 12.
The RV rider skills panel will also be given increased responsibility to scrutinise the competency of new applicants for a jockeys' licence.
"The safety of our participants is also a critical concern and the expanded requirements for licensing of Victorian jockeys is being brought in to ensure jockeys have the inherent requirements to ride in races," Brown said.
Jockeys in Victoria will be eligible to apply for a dual licence as a trainer from the start of next season.
Racing Victoria will allow dual licences from August, a move aimed at increasing the opportunities for jockeys to make a career transition.
"We recognise it is important for jockeys to be afforded opportunities to career transition into other areas of the industry should they so desire, and the changes to our licensing policy means they can seek permission to combine riding and training duties from the start of the 2016-17 season," RV's Dayle Brown said.
"In the interests of integrity, dual licence holders who have a horse engaged in a race will not be allowed to ride any other horse in the race without specific approval of the stewards, nor will they be able to accept with multiple horses trained by them in any one race."
Other changes to RV's licensing policy also announced on Thursday include the requirement that jockeys ride in a minimum number of races over the course of the year.
A flat jockey will need to ride in a minimum 24 races annually while apprentice riders and `A' jumps jockeys must compete in 12.
The RV rider skills panel will also be given increased responsibility to scrutinise the competency of new applicants for a jockeys' licence.
"The safety of our participants is also a critical concern and the expanded requirements for licensing of Victorian jockeys is being brought in to ensure jockeys have the inherent requirements to ride in races," Brown said.