Colgate named leading country apprentice

Albany apprentice jockey Shelby Colgate was recognised at the Racing and Wagering WA Apprentice Jockey Awards for the second successive year at Mandoon Estate in Perth’s Swan Valley on Monday night.

In 2016, Colgate won the trainee of the year award in her first season as a rider and this year the talented young hoop was announced the winner of the leading country apprentice jockey at the awards.

Indentured to leading Albany trainer Steve Wolfe, Colgate recorded 12 victories in the 2016-17 season at country tracks to win the award, which was presented by RWWA chief executive Richard Burt.

Colgate tasted success at country tracks Junction, Carnarvon, Mt Magnet, Leonora, Port Hedland and Collie on her way to the title.

The 20-year-old has started the new season in style, notching her first metropolitan winner last month.

“It recognises your hard work,” Colgate said.

“To get these wins, I’ve had to travel a long way.

“Carnarvon has helped me a lot, I’ve ridden a fair few winners there.”

Colgate said her focus now was on getting better rides at provincial level while targeting a big upcoming Great Southern season.

“Hopefully, I can get better rides in the outer provincials and provincials — that’s one of the aims,” she said.

“Then hopefully go leading rider in one of those areas and to go leading apprentice in Albany is another aim for sure.”

Colgate expects to return to Albany in the next few weeks from Perth, where she has been based with Wolfe during the winter months.