Introduction

The Apprentice Jockeys’ School (AJS) was founded in 1972. In the 70s and 80s when the AJS was first established, it was located at Shan Kwong Road in Happy Valley. The building’s 10th and top floor was the original AJS dormitory. Happy Valley was the only training centre for jockeys. Starting from the 80s, the training base was moved to Beas River in Sheung Shui.
After receiving basic riding training and acquiring equine knowledge, trainees were then sent to stables at Sha Tin Racecourse for their apprenticeships and to hone their riding skills with various racing stables.

The Apprentice Jockeys Hostel in Sha Tin Racecourse in the end of 70s to 80s.

The first class of Trainee Apprentice Jockeys, including Trainer A S Cruz and P F Yiu.

Instructor and retired Jockey T O Lau conducts riding training with trainees in 1989.

The success of the AJS led to the establishment of the Racing Development Board (RDB) in 2005. Apart from providing training to nurture jockeys and work riders, the RDB delivered structural vocational training across the most important functions involved in the care and management of racehorses. The RDB redesigned the apprentice jockey training curriculum and filled the programme with new ideas and values, with the mission to provide racing industry personnel with formal training and a world-renowned qualification.

The Racing Talent Development Stable managed by the Board was opened on 14 March, 2008. The opening of the stable provided a purpose-built facility for racing training and professional development. In 2010 and 2018, six certificate programmes were built for Work Riders, Jockeys, Stable Assistants, Advanced Stable Assistants, and Assistant Trainers. All certificate programmes are accredited by the HKCAAVQ (Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications). By December of 2021, the Racing Development Board had issued about 1,800 certificates to the AJS trainees and non-riding professionals who had finished their training provided through the RDB.

Racing Talent Development Stable is opened in 2008, providing a purpose-built facility for horseracing training and professional development.

In honour of the 50th Anniversary of the AJS in 2022, the Racing Development Board is to be rebranded as the Racing Talent Training Centre (RTTC). There are two schools under the RTTC, namely the "Apprentice Jockeys' School", which specialises in training riding talents, and the "Racing Talent School", which provides training for other positions in the racing industry. As a professional teaching institution, we strengthen connections with Hong Kong and Mainland communities to nurture extraordinary racing talents.

Talent Training Centre Apprentice Jockeys’ School Plaque Unveiling Ceremony

The Apprentice Jockeys Hostel is renovated under its 50th Anniversary

Board of stewards visited racing trainees' daily training

The Hong Kong Jockey Club staged the “Apprentice Jockeys’ School 50th Anniversary Race Day” on 5 June 2022 to commemorate the School for its outstanding achievements in nurturing local horse racing talents over the past 50 years. The School has cultivated world-class jockeys and trainers, including Tony Cruz, Francis Lui, Vincent Ho, and Jerry Chou.