THE SA Jockey Academy (SAJA) in Summerveld is entering a new chapter with the launch of a multi-million-rand infrastructure upgrade aimed at securing the future of horse racing and developing the next generation of professional jockeys.

The first phase of the four-phase project, funded by the Hollywood Group and Hollywood Foundation, will see the academy’s international and female apprentice dormitories comprehensively revamped.

The investment forms part of the Hollywood Group’s R500m long-term commitment to the rescue and revitalisation of horse racing in KZN.

SAJA chief operating officer Tarryn Mason said the project was about far more than upgrading buildings. “This project is not simply an investment in infrastructure. It is an investment in people, opportunity and the future of South African horse racing.

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“Through funding, the Hollywood Foundation is creating an environment where young people can live with dignity, receive a quality education, develop their horsemanship and riding skills, and ultimately enter the racing industry as trained and qualified professionals,” said Mason.

The 69-year-old academy was once on the brink of closure following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but has continued to play a key role in producing jockeys who have competed and won major races around the world.

Its alumni have gone on to race in countries including the UK, Hong Kong, Macau, Mauritius, Singapore, Japan and Australia.

The academy currently has 40 apprentices, including 18 from SA, as well as apprentices from Hong Kong, South Korea, Qatar, Mauritius and Hungary. Four of the apprentices are female, with the next female intake in 2027 set to be housed in the newly upgraded Block C.

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The Hollywood Foundation has also funded full bursaries for previously disadvantaged apprentices. Of the 35 apprentices who have benefited, 15 have qualified as professional jockeys and nine have gone on to become work riders and stable managers.

The academy provides a structured five-year boarding-school programme combining academic education, practical riding, horsemanship and experiential learning.

“We are developing young people through a structured five-year apprenticeship that combines academic education, practical riding, horsemanship and experiential learning, ultimately preparing them for professional careers in racing. We want our apprentices to know that they are valued and that the industry is invested in their future.”

Hollywood Group brand and communications manager Devin Heffer said the project was also delivering economic benefits.

The first phase created approximately 30 direct employment opportunities through the main contractor and specialist subcontractors, while local suppliers and service providers also benefited.

“By investing in racing, including upgrades to courses and the SAJA, the Group is preserving jobs. These support an estimated 300 000 South Africans, while creating opportunities for service providers, boosting local and national economies,” Heffer concluded.

Work on phase two of the SAJA upgrade is imminent.

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