SINGAPORE:  Sep 6, 2010

The Singapore Turf Club has granted Australian apprentice jockey Libbett “Libby” Edna Hopwood (pic) a two-week visiting jockey’s licence valid from today.

Licensed by the Thoroughbred Racing South Australia, Hopwood, 23, earned a trip to study Singapore Racing to further her riding career as part of her prize for being awarded the Dux of Apprentice School of South Australia.

During her stay at Kranji, Hopwood will be indentured to trainer Michael Freedman. The former archaeology and forensic science university student began her career with Mount Gambier trainer Michael O’Leary in 2007 before transferring her indentures to jockey-turned-trainer Richard Jolly at Morphettville.

She enjoyed a stellar 2009/2010 season finishing third on the Adelaide jockey’s premiership on 43 ½ winners, 4 ½ winners short of champion Chad Lever.

All up, Hopwood has ridden in excess of 150 winners, including more than 50 in the Metropolitan area, in her three years in the saddle, and goes to scale at 50 kg.