Racing Victoria to introduce dual licences
 

Source AAP

Jockeys in Victoria will be eligible to apply for a dual licence as a trainer from the start of next season.

Racing Victoria will allow dual licences from August, a move aimed at increasing the opportunities for jockeys to make a career transition.

"We recognise it is important for jockeys to be afforded opportunities to career transition into other areas of the industry should they so desire, and the changes to our licensing policy means they can seek permission to combine riding and training duties from the start of the 2016-17 season," RV's Dayle Brown said.

"In the interests of integrity, dual licence holders who have a horse engaged in a race will not be allowed to ride any other horse in the race without specific approval of the stewards, nor will they be able to accept with multiple horses trained by them in any one race."

Other changes to RV's licensing policy also announced on Thursday include the requirement that jockeys ride in a minimum number of races over the course of the year.

A flat jockey will need to ride in a minimum 24 races annually while apprentice riders and `A' jumps jockeys must compete in 12.

The RV rider skills panel will also be given increased responsibility to scrutinise the competency of new applicants for a jockeys' licence.

"The safety of our participants is also a critical concern and the expanded requirements for licensing of Victorian jockeys is being brought in to ensure jockeys have the inherent requirements to ride in races," Brown said.

sounds like Michelle Payne will be one of the first to apply for a dual licence

Yep,,that's the oil kumite
Michelle was thinking about retiring after the Melbourne Cup
A dual licence will allow her to extend her riding career,,while at the same time getting experience in the training game

That's a very strange move for Racing Victoria!
The skills required between riding and training are extremely different.
Many successful trainers were jockeys at one point, but not at the same time!

To obtain a trainers licence is quite different these days, it's extremely hard and one must go through quite a number of courses, background checks, knowledge of rules and regulations, acceptance rules and be accredited.

Not sure how good this is for racing in general.
I can forecast, all sorts of problems IF jockeys are able just to apply for dual licences (including apprentices) and automatically be trainers.

Then have them riding their own horses.
Jockeys cannot bet, but trainers can.

Can a jockey who is suspended still train?
Can a trainer who is suspended still ride?

Think it's a perilous move.

I agree we don't need an other possible way to ...!

As to gaining experience as a trainer while still riding, there is nothing stopping the jocks now to take an interest in training. Many are riding track for stables anyway.

The dual jockey / trainer licence finally became available in Western Australia August 1 last year
Designed on the principle of being a transitional rather than permanent category of licence

very common occurrence in harness. no problems there?

red-hots ;)

I think Tasmania introduced a couple of years back
Not heard of any major problems

Sure was Sportz Power
Had a small bet on Rhonda Mangan when she got on home on Perez (as a dual licensee) late last year, 100/1+ on betfair :)