HBHS Gateway Jockey Apprentice

Hamilton teenager Joshua Oliver added his name to the list of recent first-time winning apprentices when he scored on Bijoux in his third raceday ride at yesterday’s New Plymouth fixture in February.

Oliver still attends Hamilton Boy’s High School, where he is in the sixth form, and is apprenticed to Graeme Rogerson. He has had an association with the Tuhikaramea stable for 18 months and the 16-year-old’s first winning mount, a home-bred by Duelled, is also owned by Rogerson.

"When Joshua came to us he was a young kid who had virtually never ridden a horse," stable spokesman Murray Gregory told www.theinformant.co.nz. "He started on the lead pony and his dedication has taken him all the way to now be a race winner.

"He lives nearby with his family, arrives for work here first thing in the morning and when it’s time he changes into his school uniform, hops on his scooter and heads off across town to Boys’ High.

"He’s been allowed one day a week off for trials and it will be by special arrangement if he needs any more time off. He’s a great kid, we can’t keep him away from the place and he has a bright future"

As part of a programme to source likely apprentice and stablehand material, the Rogerson stable has canvassed regional secondary school careers advisers and has another couple currently engaged in work experience.

"It’s part of Graeme’s desire to make his contribution in bringing young people through who want to find worthwhile positions in the industry," Gregory added.