Queensland out to defend National Apprentice Race Series title

Queensland’s National Apprentice Race Series team is out to defend its title in 2024, with Racing Queensland today announcing the five jockeys selected to represent the state.

The Queensland team is headlined by the inclusion of Cejay Graham, who sits firmly atop the Metropolitan Apprentice Premiership standings with 48 wins so far this season.

Joining Graham as the Sunshine State’s official representatives will be Tahlia Fenlon, Gabrielle Semmens, Brooke Johnson and Emily Lang.

Queensland claimed the coveted NARS trophy for the first time in 2023, with the series coming down to the final day at Sandown where captain Angela Jones sealed the victory.

The series commences at Murray Bridge in South Australia on Wednesday, March 20, where Rockhampton young gun Tahlia Fenlon will represent Queensland for the first time.

Gabrielle Semmens, who rode a double at her first ever race meeting last year, will then make the trip from North Queensland to Hobart to don the maroon and continue the dream start to her career.

Heading west to Ascot, Western Australia, Emily Lang will return to fly the flag for Queensland, following a pair of series-defining wins at Strathalbyn during the 2023 iteration.

Brooke Johnson, who is apprenticed to Clinton Taylor, will also make her debut for the state when the series makes its way to Darwin on April 12.

On the verge of outriding her country apprentice claim in just over a year-and-a-half of race riding, Johnson is building a reputation for winning local Cup races including Gladstone, Emerald, Gayndah, Clermont and Bundaberg to date.

“The National Apprentice Race Series is a fantastic initiative for young apprentices across Australia, and our Queensland team is hell-bent on defending their title in 2024,” RQ CEO Jason Scott said.

“We are confident the Queensland squad that has been assembled is one of the strongest we have put together, headlined by several of our top young female riders in Cejay, Tahlia, Emily, Gabrielle, Brooke and Olivia Webb.

“Additionally, some of our top male apprentices in Bailey Wheeler, Dan McGillivray, Jake Molloy and Marnu Potgieter will be keen to enter the fray to help stave off the interstate hordes.

“The series is a brilliant way to have some of Queensland’s best up-and-comers experience riding at different tracks nation-wide, and look forward to watching the series unfold over the coming weeks.”

The action returns home to Doomben for the series finale on April 17, where a seven-strong Queensland contingent take the reins, with a champion state to be crowned on the day.

Leading the way on the final day will be Graham, who already sits 17.5 victories clear in the race for the Queensland Apprentice Premiership.

Both Queensland heats will be run for $45,000, with a $5,000 bonus once again on offer to the winning trainer of each respective race.