Six of the nine inductees were female, including Bendigo’s Carryn Downie.

In the past 10 years the amount of female jockey’s riding in Victoria had increased significantly, with the number doubling to 50.

Downie said if you have the drive and determination you could overcome any obstacle you may face in the racing industry, regardless if you are male or female.

“If you are willing to make those phone calls and put yourself out there then you will go a long way,” she said.

After four years of formal education, which saw the aspiring jockey successfully complete a Certificate IV in racing and a Certificate III in fitness, Downie has officially graduated.

“It has been a long haul,” she said.

“There has been a lot of people that have come and gone, but I have been determined and had great support.

“I have always had the will to ride.”

Downie said she has always had a love of horses and had the ambition to be involved with the racing industry.

She said the apprentice program allowed her to grow and learn more about the profession she is so passionate about.

The main aim of the program is to prepare riders for life as a domestic jockey as well as developing people to become high performance athletes for an international career in racing on and off the track.

Downie and the other graduates had specialist learning in race riding and performance analysis, sports science and nutrition, media and business skills were also offered throughout the course in a bid to equip the jockeys with the skills they might need in the future. 

The 24-year-old was paired with Bendigo trainer Danny Curran throughout her program.

“He is such a smart man, so I was able to learn a lot from him,” she said.

In the past four years, Downie was able to race 33 winners, of those five were country cups.

“There is nothing better than feeling that rush of adrenalin when you win a race,” she said.

Racing Victoria chief executive officer Bernard Saundry said he was confident their success on the racetrack would continue as they progress through their career.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch these jockeys progress through the four years of our training program, both in the classroom at Racing Victoria and out on the track where they have each experienced success already,” he said.

“Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program is recognised as a world leading high performance program and I’m confident that it has helped equip these athletes with the skills to become stars of the saddle, as well as well-rounded and respected individuals off the track.”

Downie has now set a goal of winning 50 races by March.

“I am 17 away from my goal and I think it is quite doable,” she said.

“It is very exciting.”

The nine jockeys, who graduated will remain apprentices for a period lasting four years since their race debut.

Meanwhile, Strathfieldsaye teen Mitch Aitken was one of three male apprentices inducted to this year’s program.

Mitch has been under the guidance of Gerald Egan in Mansfield this year. 

He is the son of former jockey Ron Aitken. 

A new group of prospective jockeys will begin its AJTP classes next month.