The winner of the 2018 Future Stars Apprentice Series, organised by Go Racing in Yorkshire was 25-year-old Kieran Schofield. Finishing eight points clear of his nearest rival, Kieran earned 53 points and a prize of a saddle from White Rose Saddlery, plus sponsorship for 2019 from Go Racing in Yorkshire.
Initially, it wasn’t racing that was Kieran’s chosen sport but football, having attended academies with Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield and Manchester United between the ages of 10 to 15. However, being the right height and weight, Kieran thought a different sport might be the right avenue for him and at 17 attended the Northern Racing College, having never sat on a horse before.
Gaining experience in several different Yorkshire based yards, Kieran headed to America to spend three months with training legend Michael Dickinson. “I really enjoyed my time in America,” enthused Kieran. “The main things I learnt were how to get a horse to change its legs during a race and I also improved my sectional timing, building a clock in my head.”
Kieran is now linked to the powerful Brian Ellison yard based in Malton. “My main aim for this season is to lose my 7lb claim, I only need another four winners to do that. I just want to keep kicking and building contacts.” Said the aspiring jockey.
Lady Poppy gave Kieran his first winner in June 2014 at Thirsk. His tally to date is 13 wins, 17 seconds and 16 thirds and we look forward to seeing him ride more winners, wearing his Go Racing in Yorkshire branded breeches.