Racing NSW Rising Star Apprentice Series 2024/25

Mollie Fitzgerald Crowned Rising Star Series Champion for 2024/25 [Thursday, 20th February 2025]

Rising Star winner Mollie Fitzgerald says she’s stoked to have her name on the honour roll of the annual apprentice series and hopes she can rise to the heights of previous winners.

Among them are Everest winning hoop Sam Clipperton, Group 1 winners Jay Ford and Andrew Adkins while last year’s Rising Star Anna Roper has taken the next step into the metropolitan ranks this season.

Runners-up in the series include the likes of Tommy Berry, Tim Clark, Robbie Dolan, Dylan Gibbons, Blake Spriggs and Reece Jones.

The 22-year-old was unable to win the final race of the series, on board Idolised for Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, run at Hawkesbury on Thursday but had a healthy lead over runner-up Siena Grima going into the race.

“It’s really exciting, it was a goal of mine at the start of the series to be able to win it,’’ Fitzgerald said.

“I’m thankful that Annabel and Rob, and the owners, put a horse in the race for me. She raced a little bit flat so hopefully she’s all okay.

“I did have a win in the series for Annabel and Rob which was a nice feeling.

“It’s a really good initiative as an apprentice, there’s good competition around it and to look back on the honour roll there’s been some top jockeys on the list. It’s good to have my name on there.”

Ben Osmond won the final race of the series on Peace Centre for Anthony and Sam Freedman.

Now the Rising Star series has concluded, Fitzgerald said her immediate goal is to reduce her claim from 3kg and continue to ride well.

Of course, she’s the daughter of former jockey Mal Fitzgerald and was given a pleasant surprise when he was on course at Hawkesbury to see her take out the title.

“He’s been my coach and mentor throughout this as well as my dad so it was really nice to have him here,’’ she said.

First run in 2000, it’s the 26th running of the annual Rising Star Series which is open to NSW and ACT indentured apprentices who are enrolled at Racing NSW Apprentice Schools.

Click here for Final 2024/25 Rising Star Series points table

William Stanley Lands The Rising Star Prize At Warwick Farm [Thursday, 6th February 2025]
William Stanley has taken out Heat 14 of the Rising Star Series at Warwick Farm on Wednesday (5th February). Stanley partnered Opal Fields ($19) for trainer John Thompson to claim his first Rising Star victory this campaign and defeated Molly Bourke (Wind Of Change-$18) and Madeline Owen (To The Extreme-$3.70). Mollie Fitzgerald remains the Series leader on 22 points with only two competition Heats left to run at Bathurst (Feb 10) and Hawkesbury (Feb 20).

Shannen Llewellyn Picks Up Rising Star Heat At Grafton [Tuesday, 4th February 2025]
Apprentice Shannen Llewellyn landed her first Rising Star Series victory this season after taking out Heat 13 at Grafton on Tuesday 4th February.
Llewellyn guided the favourite La Pelago ($2.60) to a commanding victory for trainer Damien Lane and defeated Liam Blanch (Mr Midnight-$12) and Emily Farr (She's Enuff-$26).
Mollie Fitzgerald (21 points) maintains the Series lead with only three Heats remaining at Warwick Farm tomorrow, Bathurst (Feb 10) and Hawkesbury (Feb 20).

Zac Wadick Takes The Prize In Rising Star Heat [Tuesday, 21st January 2025]
Apprentice Zac Wadick has taken out Heat 14 of the Rising Star Series at Newcastle today after he partnered with Binkou ($16) for trainer Garry Frazer to take the honours in defeating Braith Nock (2nd, How Much Better-$2.60 favourite) and Olivia Dalton (3rd, Vieste-$13). Mollie Fitzgerald (20 points) leads the Series from Sienna Grima (16) and Jessica Brookes (15). Only four Heats remain left to run at Grafton (Feb 4), Warwick Farm (Feb 5), Bathurst (Feb 10) and the Final at Hawkesbury (Feb 20).

Mollie Regains Rising Star Lead With Dubbo Victory [Wednesday, 15th January 2025]
Mollie Fitzgerald has regained the Rising Star Series lead following her heat victory at Dubbo on Tuesday (14th January). Celebrating her first Rising Star Heat victory this campaign, Fitzgerald scored a narrow victory on board Needing Attention for her masters Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald.
Chelsea Hillier placed second with Quick Onyx while Olivia Chambers was third on board Girrawheen. Fitzgerald holds a two point lead from Siena Grima as the Series heads to Newcastle for Heat 12 on Tuesday, January 21st.

Bronett Prag Guides Favourite Home In Wagga Rising Star [Thursday, 9th January 2025]
Rebecca Bronett Prag has scored her first Rising Star Series victory after taking out Heat 10 at Wagga on Thursday (9th January).
Bronett Prag partnered with the favourite Soul Taker for trainer Luke Pepper to take honours defeating runner-up Jessica Brookes (Great Week) and Claire Ramsbotham (Artist).
Siena Grima (15 points) remains the Series leader while Jessica Brookes (14pts) has climbed to second place on the points ladder.
Wellington will host Heat 11 on Tuesday 14th January.

Leanne Boyd Lands A Narrow Win In Taree Rising Star Series Heat [Wednesday, 8th January 2025]
In a stirring finish, Leanne Boyd has celebrated her first Rising Star Series victory after taking out Heat 9 at Taree on Tuesday (7th January).
Boyd partnered with the favourite Toy Story ($3) for trainer Tony Ball to score a half-length win from Siena Grima (Working Capital, $11) and Madeline Owen (No Tackle, $4).
But that wasn't the end of it as Grima fired in a protest alleging interference from the winner 100m from the post when Toy Story moved inwards forcing Grima to check and come around the heels of the winner. However, Racing NSW Stewards dismissed the objection and Boyd was awarded the race.
The Series has a new leader with Siena Grima (15 points) holding a four point margin from Madeline Owen and Mollie Fitzgerald who are both on 11 points.
Murrumbidgee Turf Club hosts Thursday's Heat 10 at Wagga where Rebecca Bronett Prag rides the TAB favourite Soul Taker ($3.40) ahead of Claire Ramsbotham on Artist ($4.40).

Claire Ramsbotham Lands Rising Star Series Prize At Queanbeyan [Thursday 19th December]
Apprentice Claire Ramsbotham has celebrated her first Rising Star Series win after taking out Heat 8 at Queanbeyan on Wednesday (18th December).
Ramsbotham piloted Artist to a narrow victory over Olivia Dalton (Midnight Luna) to take the honours with Kim Shoard (Vermicella) running third.
Mollie Fitzgerald maintains a one point lead in the Series with Taree to host Heat 9 on 7th January 2025.

Leeshelle Small Wins Scone Rising Star Series Heat [Wednesday 18th December]
Apprentice Leeshelle Small enjoyed her first Rising Star Series victory after taking out Heat 7 at Scone on Wednesday (18th December).
Small piloted Great Point to victory for trainer Rodney Northam, with Lauren Van Tijn (Corpsman) and Siena Grima (Pharoahzano) rounding out the placings.
Despite a 4th placing today on You Think You Know, Mollie Fitzgerald has tallied enough points to take the lead in the Rising Star Series point score from early leader, Jessica Brookes.

Shayleigh Ingelse Claims Tamworth Rising Star Victory [Tuesday 26th November]

Shayleigh Ingelse celebrated her first Rising Star Series victory for the season after taking out Heat 4 at Tamworth. Ingelse scored a narrow victory aboard Ardonaugh ($15) for trainer Ray Hartley to take honours in a close finish.
Cobi Vitler on roughie Takemine ($71) scored second placing with Cassey Williams (The Lupercal-$9) third. Jessica Brookes, Shae Wilkes and Amy O'Driscoll sit atop of the Rising Star point score boasting eight points apiece.
The Series now heads to the city with Warwick Farm hosting Heat 5 next Wednesday 4th December. Check out the Rising Star Series page for the latest point score, honour roll, conditions etc.

Glenn Cahill kicks off Rising Star campaign with Goulburn victory

Glenn Cahill has kicked off his Rising Star Series campaign by taking victory in Heat 3 at Goulburn on Monday (November 18^th).

The 21-year-old scored a determined victory on board Ken'Ker for trainer Matthew Dale.

Olivia Chambers (Perfumist) was a close 2nd with Amy O'Driscoll (Trianon), 3rd.

Despite finishing unplaced at Goulburn, Jessica Brookes maintains the Series lead while boasting 8 points.

The Series heads to Tamworth next with Heat 4 scheduled on November 26th.

Shae Wilkes wins Heat 2 at Taree 

Shae Wilkes celebrated her first Rising Star Series victory after winning Heat 2 at Taree on Sunday (November 17th).

Wilkes partnered with Smart Serenade for trainer Nick Mitchell to take honours and now joins Jessica Brookes at the top of the Rising Star point score.

Courtney Ferris (Buffett) claimed 2nd placing with Mollie Fitzgerald (Selfless Valour), 3rd.

Jessica Brookes wins Rising Star Series opener at Wagga

Jessica Brookes is the early Rising Star Series leader after taking out Heat 1 in a at Wagga on Friday (November 1st).

Brookes scored a narrow victory on board Kaida Blaze for trainer Peter Clancy to take honours in what was an all-female contested apprentice event.

Amy O'Driscoll (Whitehart) came charging home down with an outside run to claim 2nd while Ella McGuirk (Oimbari) held on for 3rd.

Rising Star Series Conditions

1. The Series is open to NSW and ACT indentured apprentice riders who are enrolled at Racing NSW Apprentice Schools.

2. Preference will be given to apprentice riders who, in order:

• (i) fulfil the requirements of the NSW Apprentice and Traineeship Act of 2001.
• (ii) are on loan from another state (for longer than two months) and who have been placed with the trainer of a horse nominated in a heat.
• (iii) are on loan from another country and do not fit the requirements of Part (i).

Riders from Category (ii) and (iii) may ride in a heat but may not attain points. Individual awards for heats shall be made to the highest placed rider from Category (i).

In the event that there are insufficient qualified apprentice riders available on the day of a series race, after confirmation from the Racing NSW Training Dept, Stewards may permit an Interstate Apprentice Jockey who does not qualify under Category (ii) to ride. These riders may not attain points.

3. The Rising Star Racing Colours will be carried by the apprentice leading the series at the time the heat is run, or if the leading rider is not competing, the topweight will carry the colours.

4. Points will be awarded for each race on the following basis:

(i) First Place - 7 points; Second Place - 5 points; Third Place - 3 points; Fourth Place – 2 points; All other placings - 1 point
(ii) In the case of a dead heat, the effected placing's points shall be added together then divided by the number of dead heaters.
(iii) If an apprentice is declared for a ride and the horse is subsequently scratched, the apprentice will gain one point.

5. Apprentices who are due to come out of their time during the period of the Rising Star series will be eligible to compete until such time as their apprenticeship finishes. These apprentices will also be eligible to become the overall Rising Star Series winner, with points earned in the races in which they are eligible to ride to be considered in the final tally.

6. All heats will be restricted to 12 starters.

7. At the conclusion of all scheduled Series Heats, the rider who has accumulated the most points will be declared the Rising Star Series Champion.

(i). In the event of more than one rider finishing on equal points after the last Heat, a count-back will occur. The Apprentice with the most race wins, and subsequently the most 2nds then 3rds within the series will be declared the outright winner.

8. Racing NSW can amend the Rising Star Series Conditions at any time, to ensure equal opportunity for all participants.

• Rising Star Series: Honour Roll