New Zealand has an exciting group of apprentice jockeys coming through the ranks, and last season’s standout performers were recently recognised at the Northern, Central Districts and South Island Apprentice Awards.
On Monday night, the Milan Park Northern Apprentice Jockey Awards acknowledged the achievements of the region’s rising stars, with Niranjan Parmar awarded the Premier Apprentice Jockey Award as the highest-achieving Northern apprentice on the premiership table.
Parmar, who was apprenticed to Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, recorded 50 winners last term, finishing second to Lily Sutherland in the premiership. Among his half-century were three stakes victories, including the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) aboard Pendragon, the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) on Perfect Scenario, and the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) with Discretion Rules.
The 27-year-old was honoured to receive the top award, particularly as not all had gone as planned with several suspensions through crucial periods in the season.
“It means a lot to win this award, especially as I was quite on-and-off throughout the season and spent more time on the sidelines than on the track,” Parmar said.
“I received great support from all over the country, I just took it day-by-day and kept showing up.
“Winning my first Group Two for Pam Gerard was very special and it gave me a massive boost, my name came up and I got some nice rides here and there after that. It really helped my confidence.
“Also winning the Group race at Wingatui, that was really good, and Team Te Akau had a strong hand in my premiership.
“My agent, Micky Coleman, he helped me a lot, as well as my new boss, Paul Richards. He has supported me through my career, so a big thank you to all of them.”
Parmar is nearing another milestone, with less than 20 winners before outriding his claim in New Zealand, and he is hoping to take opportunities across the Tasman, should they arise.
“My goal is to outride my claim, I’m sitting on 122 so I just need 18 more winners, which I can hopefully get through this season,” he said.
“After that, I’m looking to see if I can go to Australia for a small stint next year, even for six months to a year. I haven’t spoken to anyone yet, but it’s something I’m hoping to do.”
A relatively fresh face on the scene is Rihaan Goyaram, who was announced as the Most Promising First Year Apprentice. Indentured to Ralph Manning, Goyaram debuted in early June, and swiftly picked up five winners over the remaining six weeks in the season.
The remainder of the accolades were awarded to Ngakau Hailey (Most Improved Apprentice Jockey), Jessica Allen (Most Outstanding Female Rider), Maria Sanson (Bill Simon Trophy for Most Outstanding Ride), Ace Lawson-Carroll (Most Dedicated To Succeed) and Sarah Fisher (Best Presented At Scales).
At the Central Apprentice Academy Prizegiving, held in conjunction with RACE, Lily Sutherland was further congratulated for her outstanding performance to win the 2023/24 National Apprentice Premiership, with 52 winners placing her 14th overall among her senior counterparts.
Apprenticed to Kevin Myers, Sutherland won the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) on Chantilly Lace, Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) with Not Guilty, Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) aboard Churchillian, and the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) partnering No Rain Ever.
Lemmy Douglas was recognised as the Head Pupil, for all-round dedication to their profession, and Jim Chung was Most Improved Apprentice Jockey, highlighted by his fifth-placing on the Apprentice Premiership.
In the South Island, Yogesh Atchamah was awarded the Top Apprentice Jockey after recording a career-best of 24 winners last term. Indentured to Andrew Carston, Atchamah narrowly edged out fellow Southern rising stars Donovan Cooper and Denby-Rose Tait.
Kendra Bakker, formerly in the North, was awarded the Most Promising Junior Rider, and Ruvanesh Muniandy won the Ashlee Mundy Jockey’s Choice Award, chosen by the South Island Senior Jockeys.