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Milestone for Probert
The BRS wishes to congratulate David Probert on loosing his right to claim an allowance as an apprentice.
In doing so he joins the ranks of other professional jockeys who have started their careers at the BRS. Seb Sanders is the most notable graduate of the BRS having been champion apprentice and two years ago became champion jockey for the first time. Others included in the BRS role of honour are Paul Hanagan, Sam Thomas, Wayne Hutchinson, Royston Ffrench, Greg Fairley, Paul Mulrennan, Richard Mullen, William Buick and former champion apprentice and Classic winning jockey Jason Weaver (who is now an Attheraces television presenter, having retired in 2002).
David was sent to Andrew Balding's Kingsclere Stable from the BRS having completed his nine week foundation training and has not looked back since then. He has however returned to the BRS for Remedial Training with the BRS Jockey Coach (Richard Perham) and BHA Stipendiary Steward (Anthony McGlone). Remedial Training is designed to help iron out any bad habits that the young jockeys might acquire early in their career. He has also ridden in the Hands & Heels and Training Races that are coordinated by the BRS.
Last year David, who graduated from the BRS in 2006 and William Buick (BRS 2006) could not be separated in the battle to be crowned champion apprentice and this season's tussle looks set to be just as tight.
Probert is again involved, this time locked in combat with Frederik Tylicki (BRS Licence Course in 2008).
For Probert, who missed out on being outright champion by three-quarters of a length when Cornus finished second at Doncaster on the last day of the 2008 season, this is not a new experience, but one that he would like to repeat. We wish him well.