RV to induct next generation of riders
Sage Duric, the daughter of Caulfield Cup winner Vlad Duric, is one of 11 riders who will officially be inducted as apprentice jockeys on Monday night at Moonee Valley.
Duric is one of 11 members of the 2024 intake of Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program.
The 21-year-old is looking to follow in the footsteps of not only her father, who counts Master O’Reilly’s Caulfield Cup win as one of five wins at the highest level, but also mother Storm, who is a past graduate of RV’s program.
“Both Mum and Dad went through Racing Victoria’s prestigious program, so to be chosen by RV and given the opportunity to do the same makes me feel extremely honoured and lucky that I get to live out my dream,” Duric said.
“Dad is obviously my father first but he’s also my best friend and to have somebody to share this passion with is like no other.
“Dad’s success speaks for itself in both Australia and Singapore, so I feel a little bit of pressure there, but I think pressure can be a good thing.”
Duric, who is apprenticed to Phillip Stokes, is one of 10 women among the inductees with 28-year-old Chris Pang, who will be indentured to Leon and Troy Corstens, the lone male.
Across the course of the four-year apprenticeship, the 11 riders will be guided by RV’s apprentice jockey coaches Darren Gauci and Alf Matthews and gain expertise in fields including equine welfare, performance analysis, personal wellbeing, nutrition, physiotherapy, media, finance and business management.
Members of this year’s intake are:
More Racing News
Fresh Ron’s Finalflutter can win Bunbury Classic 2025 says Morton
Ron’s Finalflutter kicks off her potential WA Oaks campaign this Sunday at Bunbury, and trainer Dan Morton believes she has what it takes to deliver a strong performance fresh in the Listed Greenfields Lodge WA Breeders’ Classic (1200m). “I wouldn’t rule her out,” Morton said on Tabradio. “She’s got a lot...
Paula Trenwith chases birthday gift at the Parks
Morphettville based Paula Trenwith could not think of a better present than that of winning a race on her birthday. Trenwith prepares a team of eight horses at Morphettville and has three runners at the Morphettville Parks meeting on Saturday, her birthday. Savatoff runs in the Happy 80th Birthday Glynn Pretty Handicap (1950m),...
Oh baby: Newcastle mare out to finish on a career-high
If the upcoming Rosehill meeting were scheduled just one day later, in-form mare So Newchee Thinks would be ineligible to race. The daughter of So You Think is currently in foal to Starspangledbanner, and according to racing rules, her official cut-off date for competing is February 1, which coincides with...
Price looking for Gold lining in the Southern Cross Stakes
Luke Price is the first to admit that Our Gold Hope will need both pace and luck to make an impact first-up in a black-type sprint, but he is equally confident she is in strong enough form to defy her outsider status. Priced at $61, the mare is set to start...
Filly out to stamp G1 Blue Diamond Stakes credentials
Trainer Dominic Sutton is prioritizing the well-being of his horse over personal ambition as Victoria’s richest two-year-old race approaches. Sutton has Sword Of Legacy among the 81 youngsters still in contention for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22. However, Sutton, who manages dual yards at...
Important outing for Hearcomesthestar in the Bellmaine Stakes
Hearcomesthestar will be racing for more than just prize money when she steps out in a Stakes race at Sandown this Saturday. While finishing in the top three of the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) would be a bonus for connections, securing ‘Black Type’ is the primary goal. Trainer John...
Grahame Begg mares to clash in Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
Grahame Begg finds himself in a difficult position as he prepares to run two of his mares in a Stakes race at Sandown, a situation he acknowledges is not ideal. Both Miraval Rose and So Glamorous are set to compete in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. The...
Widden-born Flex chases G3 Widden Stakes win
Widden Stud may not have a runner carrying its famous silks in this weekend’s Rosehill race named in its honor, but the stud’s influence will still be felt in the $250,000 Group 3 Widden Stakes. Leading contender The Playwright is sired by Widden stallion Written By, while another runner, Mac Daddy...
Gear change for Blitzburg in G3 Canonbury Stakes
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou are hoping the addition of winkers will help Snitzel colt Blitzburg bounce back to winning form after an unsuccessful Magic Millions campaign. Originally named as the second emergency for the $3 million Magic Millions Classic, Blitzburg’s connections ultimately had to withdraw him due to a...
Ceolwulf leads home big guns in trial
Ceolwulf has sharpened up for his upcoming return in the Apollo Stakes with an impressive barrier trial victory at Warwick Farm, signaling a promising autumn campaign ahead. The dual Group 1 winner dictated the tempo in Thursday’s 1000m heat, cruising to the line unchallenged to defeat Via Sistina, a likely rival...