The award came with a cheque for $10,000 for the

16-year-old jockey, who is apprenticed to the stable of his father, Mornington trainer Tony Noonan.

Jake is studying a certificate in racing through Racing Victoria while completing VCE at the Mornington school.

It would be a mistake to think Jake gets an easy ride at his father's successful stables; he trains every morning before school and rides at provincial weekday meets.

Remarkably, in his first ride aboard Celtic Empire at Sale in March, he ran second.

In his own words, here is a day in the life of Jake Noonan, apprentice jockey:

"I start my day at four o'clock in the morning, when I head down the road to ride for trainer John Wheeler. This helps me gain experience and the skills to be able to ride for official meets.

"I then return to my apprenticeship employer to ride the horses to the track and work them for a number of laps around the training tracks at the Mornington complex. After I have finished riding for Mr Noonan, I head to the track stall to ride for other trainers.

"This allows other trainers to see my skills and gives them an idea of who I am and how I ride. Not only does this give me experience in riding, but also it gives me a chance to get to know the horses I may ride on race day.

"These small track-riding and race-riding skills open up many doors for me in other interstate and overseas racing stables. My goal is to ride track work and race days anywhere in the world.

"Once I have finished riding for other trainers, I head back to Mr Noonan's stable to help wash, rug and feed horses and put them into day yards.

"Then I help sweep, rake and shovel up horse droppings before I head inside at 7.30am for a quick breakfast, shower and off to school."

Jake said a school-based apprenticeship allowed him to follow his passion for the racing industry while completing school, which would stand him in good stead for other career options.

"My aim is to be a successful jockey, but I am also open towards starting my own business, whether it is in the health industry, farming, horticulture or working with animals," he said.

But the "best part of all" was maintaining links with Padua College and his friends.

"It gives me the time to be a teenager, and it gives me a sense of belonging."

Time management must be one of his top subjects.