Mount Gambier jockey Jacob Opperman completed a brilliant 2021 claiming the Dux of the Racing SA Apprentice Academy at Morphettville on Monday night.
Opperman, 18, rode 68 winners and took home a massive haul of awards joining the likes Jamie Kah, Dwayne Dunn and Jason Holder as a winner of the top award.
He rode the most winners in the Academy Year (December to December), boasted the best wining strike-rate of the current apprentice crop and was away Master of Dux and Dux.
He also claimed three special achievement awards for his Listed Port Adelaide Guineas and Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes wins aboard Royal Mile and for riding five winners in a day at Morphettville in June.
A key to Opperman’s rapid rise is he is widely considered to be wise beyond is years.
“One thing about Jacob is he’s a really cool, calm dude,’’ Academy Master Briony Dunn said.
“Nothing much fazes him, he is very laid back in person and that follows through into his riding as well,’’ she said.
Moore said what was most impressive about Opperman was his desire to improve.
“His commitment to wanting to refine his style and get that strength out of his,’’ Moore said.
Opperman rode three winners at last Friday’s Penola meeting to take his career tally to 107 in under 20 months of race riding.
He will be heading back to Melbourne this weekend to ride Royal Mile for Munt Gambier trainer Lee Creek.
Opperman has been in the saddle in each of Royal Mile’s 12 starts, the latest beaten less than length behind Regalo Di Gaetano in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on November 27.
