Mick Appleby: trainers have overreacted to apprentice pay changes

All-weather champion trainer Mick Appleby believes his colleagues have overreacted to the impending changes to apprentice jockey pay and says he has little sympathy with the arguments put forward in favour of keeping the status quo.

A number of trainers have reacted angrily to the changes which will result in apprentices keeping more of their earnings, with the National Trainers Federation failing to sign up alongside the BHA and Professional Jockeys Association to the new agreement.

From March apprentices will keep at least 80 per cent of their riding fee and prize-money but handle their own expenses, something that had previously been partially covered by their employer who would get up to 50 per cent of the jockeys’ earnings in return.

“I think it’s about time they made the change really and I don’t see why they shouldn’t get more of the riding fees – they deserve it,” Appleby said. “They’re putting their necks on the line and riding the same as any other jockey in a race, so why does a trainer then get half of it?

“There isn’t that much of a cost with them. You pay their expenses and when they’re out riding at the races you pay them as well, but then it’s the same as any other jockey in any other job. I don’t see what the problem is with the changes coming in.”

Major apprentice employers Richard Fahey and Andrew Balding have declared their intentions not to take on any new apprentices as a result of the rule change, while Mick Easterby and Richard Hannon have highlighted what they feel will be the difficulties for young riders under the new system.

Andrew Balding: will not be taking on any new apprenticesCredit: Edward Whitaker

However, Appleby, who employs apprentices Theo Ladd and Erika Parkinson, as well as being a regular supporter of up-and-coming riders, says his focus has always been on what they can add to his team rather than any potential financial impact on the yard.

He said: “You use the good [apprentices] for their claim, that’s what they bring. Most don’t get a very good wage so getting a few rides gives them a bit more money, which has got to be good for them.

“I think the trainers have overreacted about it, to be fair. I’ve not spoken to anyone about it too much but I did speak to Andrew Balding briefly to try and understand his view but it didn’t really wash with me that much.”

He added: “A lot of the bigger yards who have the most apprentices charge a lot more training fees than someone like me and will be making a bit on that, so why do they need to make anything from the lads as well?”

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