Female riders scooped five of the six major titles at the 2014 Apprentice Awards held at Frasers restaurant on Monday night.
Capping an outstanding introduction to racing was talented 16-year-old, Lucy Warwick, crowned Trainee of the Year.
Warwick commenced as a school-based trainee in August 2013 and received a permit to ride in races in February 2014.
She has created a stunning impact in a short space of time and her exploits have attracted national exposure.
The teenager rode 16 metropolitan winners for the 2013-14 season and posted her maiden victory on Miss Meyet at Bunbury.
Warwick is based at Harvey with host trainer and father, Justin Warwick.
The Leading Country Rider went down to the wire but Shelby Bowtell was able to hang on and prevailed with 43 wins. Bowtell held out Danielle Conroy by three with a further 11 wins to third placegetter, Emma Stent.
The Leading Regional Rider was also a tight contest with diminutive jockey Natasha Faithfull holding sway.
Faithfull, enjoying her best season in the saddle, rode 21 regional winners, 1 ½ clear of gallant runner up, Jerry Noske.
Mitchell Pateman was a further five wins adrift in third place.
Jerry Noske’s hard work and positive attitude was rewarded when she claimed the Most Promising Junior Rider Award.
Noske is recognised as a quiet achiever but her efforts and results in 18 months of riding have been loud and clear.
During the 2013-14 season she rode in 691 races for 73 wins, 29 of which occurred in the metropolitan area.
Noske enjoyed country wins at Esperance, Geraldton, Albany, Mount Barker and Kalgoorlie, where she recently piloted Red Blast to victory in the Boulder Cup.
Born into a racing family, Noske is the younger sister of former top apprentice, Jarrad, and daughter of former riders, Jeff and Jodie.
Noske proudly represented Western Australia in the National Apprentice Jockey Challenge in Adelaide.
Chanelle O’Grady took out the Best All Round Apprentice.
O’Grady made a successful comeback to racing after she recommenced her apprenticeship with Pinjarra trainer, Brett Pope two years ago.
O’Grady spent several years away from the saddle after struggling for riding opportunities and battling weight issues.
With renewed motivation and maturity she made a rapid rise through the ranks and exceeded her own expectations by riding 23 city winners for the season.
A personal highlight included representing Western Australia and winning a leg of the National Apprentice Jockey Challenge at Doomben in Queensland.
Former McDonald’s employee, Ben Paterson, achieved a rare double by taking out the Leading Metropolitan Rider in consecutive seasons.
Paterson recently guided Sireeze to victory in Kalgoorlie’s feature sprint: the Hannans Handicap, a major boost after just joining the senior riding ranks.
Julio Santarelli: RWWA