Vic apprentices to get overseas experience

Two Victorian apprentices will further their careers with stints riding trackwork at Newmarket in England.

Stephanie Thornton and Melissa Julius, who are part of Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program, head to Newmarket next month for three weeks on a scholarship from the International Federation of Horseracing Authority.

Thornton, who began riding in November 2015, has ridden 33 winners and will ride work for Ed Dunlop, trainer of three-time Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux.

“It’ll be great to see the different way of training and will provide me with a fantastic opportunity to experience racing on the other side of the world with a leading trainer like Ed Dunlop,” Thornton said.

Julius, who has ridden 35 winners, including a debut metropolitan winner at Sandown in December, will join Luca Cumani, father of Ballarat trainer Matt.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be presented with an opportunity to travel to Newmarket and ride for one of the world’s most successful trainers in Luca Cumani and I don’t think it’ll feel real until I’m actually over there,” Julius said.

Other Victorian apprentices to take advantage of the international IFHRA experience include Ben Thompson, Regan Bayliss and Jessica Payne.