Frontrunner in pdf here

2ND ISSUE 2009
P E N A N G
4
T U R F
National
Horse Show
C L U B
M A G A Z I N E
8
Thailand
trip
PP 8450/08/2009(022166)
12
MRA Awards
Front Runner is published three
times a year by Penang Turf Club.
All rights reserved. Copyright ©
2009 by Penang Turf Club.
Views expressed in Front Runner
are solely those of the individual
writers and not necessarily
endorsed by the Penang Turf Club.
3 Editorial
Horse Show
4 National
Thousands throng Club for biggest
event of the year
Advertising, editorial enquiries,
comments and suggestions should
to land of smiles
8 Trip
Club members visit Bangkok and
Chiang Mai
be directed to:
Ms Adeline Khoo,
Assistant Secretary
first
11 Historic
Teoh Mei Shean first woman
elected to Club committee
Championship
21 Three-Year-Old
Round-up of heats at Sungei Besi
Awards 2008
12 MRA
Top Spin and Cheyenne Dancer
Championship
22 Three-Year-Old
Round-up of heats in Penang
(Marketing & Public Relations),
Penang Turf Club, Racecourse,
Batu Gantong Road,
10450 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: (604) 229 3233 (H/L)
Fax: (604) 228 8478
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.penangturfclub.com
Printed by:
The Phoenix Press Sdn. Bhd.
No. 2509, Jalan Perusahaan Baru,
voted Horse of the Year
News
15 Club
Club hosts old folk and welcomes
Japanese visitors
Day in Perth
16 MRA
Star Encounter wins Penang Turf
Airlines
24 Singapore
International Cup
Gloria De Campeao causes
big upset
Club Trophy
Prai Industrial Complex,
13600 Prai, Pulau Pinang.
Championship
23 Three-Year-Old
Round-up of heats in Ipoh
Trophy preview
18 Sprint
Exciting cross-border battle to
resume
International Sprint
26 KrisFlyer
Sacred Kingdom back in top form
Turf Club Trophy
28 Penang
Kotipelto wins at Kranji
Abdul Rahman
29 Tunku
Anniversary Cup
Trade N Luck scores
consecutive win
Jubilee Sultan Perak
30 Silver
Trophy
Happy Victory wins commemorative
race
1
City Cup
31 Lion
Rocket Man sizzles in
38
runaway win
Elizabeth II
32 Queen
Cup
Restored completes big
race double
Winner’s Circle
We salute some of the
recent winners in
Penang
2ND ISSUE 2009
P E N A N G
T U R F
C L U B
M A G A Z I N E
PP 8450/08/2009(022166)
of Events
40 Chronology
Traces the milestone of
racing in the region
Info
42 Club
Brief history of the Club
4
45
Club Facilities
Penang Hill bungalow
Facilities
46 Club
VIP boxes,
National
Horse Show
8
Thailand
trip
12
MRA Awards
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan
Eng arriving in a horse drawn
carriage for the opening of the
15th National Horse Show
Corporate boxes
Gold Cup
33 Selangor
Triumphant comeback
for Kiko’s Return
Cup
34 MRA
Restored causes big
surprise
35
Tunku Gold Cup
Happy Victory upsets
the favourite
Gallery
36 Turf
Meet the VIPs and
guests who were at the
Club recently
Facilities
47 Club
The Horseshoe Bistro
Penang Turf Club Golf
Section
Facilities
48 Club
Batu Gantong
Equestrian Centre
Racing Museum
THE COMMITTEE
President
Dato Ong Eng Khuan
Members
Dato Robert Chan Woot Khoon
Dato Dr Henry Ooi Kwee Lim
John Alexander Rodgers
Saw Lip Khai
Tan Phaik Guan
Dato Seri Teh Choon Beng
Teoh Mei Shean
ELECTION COMMITTEE
Dato Choo Beng Kai
Dr Chong Keat Foong
Rudy Lee Beng Liang
Jeffrey Lee Chin Wah
Andy Ng Kok Min
Dr Allan Ooi Poh Kiat
Oon Jin Leong
Teoh Ming Liang
Victor Yeap Leong Peng
2
EDITORIAL
BOARD
The C
lub ac
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the fir
a n o th
st lady
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Comm
estone
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when
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until th
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been a
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lu
145 ye
n of
b
comm
ril 20,
gentle
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ittee a
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.
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s
.
T
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t th e
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his bre
The C
from t
is also
ommit
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im
h by C
had
e it wa
in the
ction a
ommit
s estab
history
Club a
nd the
t
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li
possib
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s
lso ele
h
of the
Memb
ed
electio
le by t
cted a
er, Teo
Malay
fresh y
n of th
he sup
new C
a
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n
oung C
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acing
por t o
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it
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is
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challen
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the 3-y
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is
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namely
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ted to
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Malay
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t
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Club f
quality
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Editor
John Alexander Rodgers
Editorial Consultant
Charles Wong
Members
Leow Khin Ming
Dato Ong Eng Khuan
Goh Su Yen
Debi Phuah Hsu-Jean
Adeline Khoo Phaik Har
Photographers
Lim Teow Heng
Lee Kheng Ee
Charles Wong
3
CLUB NEWS
FUN-FILLED
FESTIVITIES
Exciting competition and fun for all at
National Horse Show in Penang
The National Horse Show (NHS) returned to Penang — after
a lapse of five years — in grand style when Penang Turf Club
hosted the 15th edition of the event from June 5-7, 2009.
A total of 125 riders representing 45 equine centres and
riding clubs from all over Malaysia, Brunei and as far as Hong
Kong took part in the three-day event, involving a total of
113 horses.
Among the teams which took part were KL City Hall, the
Police, Prisons Department, Armed Forces Equestrian Centre,
Royal Selangor Equestrian Academy, 3Q Equestrian, Aria,
Country Heights Equestrian Quarters and STC Equestrian
and Sports Centre.
Malaysia’s best riders such as Qabil Ambak, Quzandria Nur
Ambak and Diani Lee were in action at the Show.
Equestrian ace Qabil, bronze medalist in individual dressage
at the Doha Asian Games in 2006 and four-gold winner at
the Sea Games in Korat in Thailand a year later, was in his
element when he achieved a 1-2 finish in the Penang Classic
130cm Show Jumping event with his two mounts.
Lim Guan Eng presses the button to release the confetti in
declaring the Show open, flanked by John Alexander Rodgers
(to his right) and Dato Ong Eng Khuan
Qabil’s sister Quzandria was not to be outdone, winning the
Queen’s Cup 100cm Show Jumping event for women.
There were a number of foreign participants this year,
including Hong Kong’s Jennifer Chang who also took part
in the last Asian Games.
This year’s NHS also featured the first-of-its-kind Show Jumping
Team Competition. The inter-state contest was for students
of the Riding In Schools Programme (RISP) with teams from
Penang, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, the Federal Territory, Johor,
Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu taking part.
Penangite Mohd Joshua Merican Noordin, a student at the
St Xavier’s Institution, did the home team proud by winning
the individual competition. Joshua also won the Penang
Classic Show Jumping for Junior and young riders.
The RISP, initiated by Majlis Ekuin Malaysia with the
cooperation of the Ministry of Education in 2001, aims to
expose as many teenagers as possible to equestrian sports,
especially horse-riding.
Students are given lessons on horse-riding, horsemanship
and horse care under the programme which also aim to help
them develop sportsmanship, self-discipline and strength of
character.
Lim Guan Eng speaking to
Malaysia’s equestrian ace
Qabil Ambak
4
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Organising Chairman John Alexander Rodgers presenting
a memento to Lim Guan Eng
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Qabil Ambak after receiving his trophy for winning the Penang
Classic. With him are Show Director Johari Lee (left) and
Penang Turf Club General Manager Leow Khin Ming
In conjunction with the NHS, 17 disabled children also took
part in the Penang Riding for the Disabled Competition on
June 3 which was organized by Penang Turf Club Equestrian
Centre, Penang Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)
and parents of the participating children.
The riding competition was the first ever for children aged
6 to 18 from the Penang and Kuala Lumpur RDAs.
Some of the children had Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy
and autism while others were slow learners or visually
impaired. Accompanied by volunteers who walked the horses
while they rode, they competed in three classes.
The NHS was officially opened by Penang Chief Minister Lim
Guan Eng on June 5.
In his welcoming address, Penang Turf Club President Dato
Ong Eng Khuan, who is also the Chairman of the Totalisator
Board of Malaysia, said the aim of the NHS is to educate the
public especially school children on the development of the
equine industry and the equestrian sports.
One of the highlights of the 15th NHS was the 8th Asian
Regional Farriery Competition for farriers. The judge for this
competition was Peter Strafford, who is the chief farrier at
the Victoria Racing Club in Melbourne, Australia.
An air of festivity prevailed throughout the three days as
visitors were also treated to a host of fun-filled activities.
Penang’s Mohd Joshua Merican Noordin, winner of the Show
Jumping Individual Competition for schools
Stalls selling everything from clothing, equestrian gear,
pottery, Japanese porcelain, and handicraft to chocolates
lined the expo and bazaar areas.
5
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CLUB NEWS
John Alexander Rodgers (second from left) and
Dato Seri Teh Choon Beng (seated second from right)
with guests at the ‘thank you’ dinner
A participant in the Penang Riding for the Disabled
Competition going through his paces
Quzandria Nur Ambak receives her trophy for winning
the Queen’s Cup
Horse chiropractor demonstration in progress
There were also performances by a modern jazz band,
Chakora band, hip hop and violin music, country band,
Chinese cultural dances besides line dancing, games and
magic show.
Clown David Lim, one of two South East Asian representatives
at the 20th Pflasterspektakel 2006 street art festival in Linz,
Austria, was also among the performers at the show.
Visitors also got to enjoy pony rides and carriage rides, watch
a horse chiropractor demonstration and the chance to have
their face painted to add gaiety to the event.
John Alexander Rodgers presenting the trophy to the winner
of the Regional Farriery Competition. Looking
on is competition judge Peter Strafford
6
P
Young and old visitors enjoying carriage rides
Young visitors enjoying the pony rides
n
a
n
g
T u
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u
b
The puppet show is a crowd puller
Show visitors taking a closer look
at the various breeds of horses on display
A snake charmer captivating his audience
e
Music and song to keep the visitors entertained
Farriers demonstrating a horse shoe to visitors
MORE PICTURES ON INSIDE BACK COVER
7
CLUB NEWS
UNFORGETTABLE
THAILAND
Visits to historical and world renowned sites among highlights of Penang Turf Club trip
The winning connections with representatives of Penang Turf Club and Royal Turf Club of Thailand after the prize presentation
Apart from the reciprocal Penang Turf Club Trophy at the
Royal Turf Club of Thailand, a tour of River Kwai and the
World War II Cemetery, and visits to the world-renowned
Tiger Temple and the Maesa Elephant Camp were among
the highlights of the Penang Turf Club (PNTC) delegation’s
tour of Thailand in January this year.
The 60-strong group, comprising Ordinary Members,
Committee members, their spouses and staff of Penang Turf
Club, arrived in Bangkok on January 3 and was taken on a
river cruise cum dinner that evening.
Bangkok may be infamous for its hectic traffic and congestions
in the daytime but viewed from the Chao Phraya River at
night, the city outline projects an almost tranquil image
under the neon lights. A band was in attendance on the
cruise and some of the PNTC members took the opportunity
to impress their Thai hosts with their rendition of popular
songs.
8
The Penang Turf Club Trophy was staged at the Royal Turf
Club of Thailand racecourse the following day. The 1,200m
event was won by Look Luang (Alsaarm out of Sood Yord
Wasana), owned by Napaornchai Anantpalangjai, trained
by Pichit Sripradit and ridden by Tepmongkol. Drawn barrier
6 in a field of 14 runners, jockey Tepmongkol jumped Look
Luang out nicely at the start and settled him in handy midfield
position up to the home turn. On straightening, he hugged
the rail, went after the leaders and easily overtook them to
win by two lengths.
President of Penang Turf Club, Dato Ong Eng Khuan presented
the trophies to the winning owner and trainer while
Committee Member Dato Seri Teh Choon Beng presented
the trophy to the winning jockey.
Some golfers who did not attend the reciprocal race at the
Royal Turf Club of Thailand took the opportunity to tee-off
P
The World War II Cemetery at Kachanaburi Province
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Visitors taking a stroll on the Bridge on the River Kwai
at the Panya Indra Golf Course while others went on a tour
of the River Kwai, World War II Cemetery and the Tiger
Temple.
chance for the golfers to try out the greens at the Chiang
Mai Green Valley Country Club, Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club
and Chiang Mai Highland Golf And Spa.
The story of The Bridge Over the River Kwai is well known,
as it is recorded in history books and depicted in the 1957
film of the same name. Still, seeing the bridge and the
cemetery was an unforgettable moment for the PNTC
delegation.
The non-golfers were taken on a tour of the Maesa Elephant
Camp, gems & handicraft factories, Doi Suthep Temple and
Karen (long neck) villages.
The Tiger Temple is actually a Theravada Buddhist temple
located in a forest and has been a sanctuary for wild animals,
notably tigers since 1999, hence its name. The tigers are
washed and handled by Thai monks, international volunteers
and local staff. Once a day they are walked on leashes to a
nearby quarry.
Maesa Elephant Camp is home to one of the largest assembly
of elephants in the north of Thailand. It’s philosophy is to
create a natural and healthy environment for the elephants
while working to conserve and breed them, due to the
dwindling number of Asian elephants left in the wild.
Visitors are able to observe them close up and even have
photographs taken with a tiger on their lap!
After the short stay in Bangkok, the delegation flew to
Chiang Mai for more sightseeing and shopping, and the
The steps leading to the Doi Suthep Temple
Doi Suthep Temple is located on top of the Doi Suthep
mountain, about 15km from Chiang Mai. To reach the
temple, one has to climb 300 steps! But the reward for
visitors, apart from seeing some Buddha relics, when they
reach the top is a spectacular view of Chiang Mai and the
surrounding areas, including the airport.
Visitors getting up close and personal with tigers
at the Tiger Temple
9
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CLUB NEWS
Penang Turf Club delegation pose for photo at the Maesa Elephant Camp
The Karen is a hill tribe whose women famously wear brass
rings around their necks. This distorts the growth of their
collarbones and makes them look as if they have long necks
- which they don't. This row of brass rings does not actually
stretch their necks but in fact squash the vertebrae and
collarbones. A woman generally has about twenty or more
rings around her neck. This neck ring adornment is worn
when the girls are five or six years old.
In the evenings, the PNTC delegation was spoilt for choice
when it came to shopping for souvenirs and other items at
the night bazaar located along the streets near the hotel
where they were staying.
The group returned to Penang on January 8 with many fond
memories of the trip.
A Karen tribe maiden entertaining guests at her village
Club members
shopping for
souvenirs
10
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CLUB NEWS
HISTORIC FIRST
Penang Turf Club elects first woman into Club’s committee
“Penang Turf Club should be lauded for its bold effort to be
the first in the country to open its door to a woman to sit
in their committee. This is the way forward as it is already
a practice by other horse racing establishments abroad,”
said Teoh.
Prior to her election to the committee, she was the Honorary
Time Keeper at the club. She is also a former Ladies Subcommittee member at the PTC’s Golf Section from 2006 to
2008.
Saw, 42, a partner at a legal firm here, said he is grateful
to club members who had put their faith in him to represent
them in the club committee this time.
Dato Seri Teh Choon Beng congratulating Teoh Mei Shean on her
election. On the left is Saw Lip Khai
Architect Teoh Mei Shean has become the first woman to
be elected as a committee member in any of the three turf
clubs in the country’s 145-year-old history of horse racing.
She was one of two new faces elected at the Penang Turf
Club’s (PNTC) Annual General Meeting on April 20. The
other was lawyer Saw Lip Khai.
They replaced Ch’ng Chin Ghee and Oon Chong Kie, who
had both resigned. Dato Ong Eng Khuan, Dato Seri Teh
Choon Beng, John Alexander Rodgers, Dato Dr Henry Ooi
Kwee Lim, Tan Phaik Guan and Dato Robert Chan Woot
Khoon were re-elected.
Teoh, 32, who graduated from the University of Glasgow,
is no stranger to horse racing. Her father Teoh Ming Khean
is a horse owner as was her late grandfather while her uncle
Ming Liang is the current Honorary Judge at the club. Her
grandfather, Teoh Kon Moh was the proud owner of
Punkawalla, the 1932 Singapore Gold Cup winner.
Her interest in horses started from a young age when she
was often taken by her father to horse races and equestrian
events.
“I’m proud to be the first and only woman to be elected. I
know it is going to be a sharp learning curve for me but I
do not see any problem adapting to it.
“I did not really expect to be elected to sit in the committee
as I consider myself a newcomer in the club. I believe I can
contribute to the club with my legal expertise and my
experience in handling Malayan Racing Association (MRA)related cases,” said the Monash University graduate and a
father of two.
PNTC Trustee and Committee Member Dato Seri Teh Choon
Beng said Teoh and Saw were elected based on their
capabilities which members felt would help to improve the
club further.
“There are a lot they can contribute to the club with their
expertise in their respective fields and the club hopes to
benefit from it. Hopefully, they will give time to the Club
and work hard. Teoh’s election is a ‘first’ in the country and
this shows that Penang Turf Club is willing to move forward
by making the necessary changes to improve.
“We believe that this new change will bring huge benefit to
the club and propel us to be among the best in the region,”
said Teh, the reigning Guinness Book of Records champion
trainer for saddling seven winners for a single owner in a
day.
Teh said the new PNTC committee comprises a good mix of
young and old members; the oldest being Datuk Dr Henry
Ooi who is 73 years old to Teoh who is 32.
“I believe that my inclusion in the committee will help to
attract more young blood into the club and also create more
interest from the younger generations to the horse racing
industry.
11
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TURF NEWS
DANCE
TO THE
TOP
Cheyenne Dancer and Top Spin named Horse
Of The Year in 2008
Top Spin
Cheyenne Dancer and Top Spin were voted 2008 Da Ma Cai
Horse Of The Year for Malaysia and Singapore respectively
after both horses had performed with distinction during the
year.
Cheyenne Dancer (Indian Danehill - Daylight Hour by Brief
Truce) won four of his seven starts, culminating with his
victory in the RM1 million Astro Wah Lai Toi Sprint Trophy
over 1,400m in Penang in December.
Prior to that, the former Singapore galloper returned to his
old stomping ground to account for a strong field in a crossborder race over 1,200m, a testimony to just how much
progress he made since his move to Malaysia under trainer
Frank Maynard.
Cheyenne Dancer, who also finished second in both the
Tunku Gold Cup and the MRA Cup over 1,200m at Sungei
Besi, got the nod ahead of Penang Gold Cup winner
Professional Man and Triple Luck, winner of the MRA Cup
and Coronation Cup.
Top Spin (Arena - Gas by Danehill) picked up six Group wins
from 12 starts at Kranji last year, namely the Three Rings
Trophy, Four-Year-Old Mile, Chairman’s Trophy, Singapore
Derby Trial, the Singapore Derby and Kranji Mile.
The Laurie Laxon-trained champion was voted ahead of
Raffles Cup winner Chevron and Singapore Gold Cup winner
El Dorado.
12
Cheyenne Dancer
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Trainer Stephen Gray (right) receiving the Horse Of The Year Award
on behalf of the owner of Cheyenne Dancer from
Singapore Turf Club Chairman Tan Guong Ching
Lim Siah Mong (right) receiving the Horse Of The Year Award for
Top Spin from Penang Turf Club Chairman Dato Ong Eng Khuan
Pan Malaysian Pools Sdn Bhd Chief Operating Officer Yin Yee Yuen
(left) presenting the Malaysian Bred Of The Year Award
to trainer Prakhash Pereira
Leading Singapore owner Lim Siah Mong (right) receiving his award
from Tan Guong Ching
Leading Malaysian owner Beh Chin Pheng (right)
receiving his award from Tan Guong Ching
Selangor Turf Club Chairman Tunku Dato Seri Shahabuddin (centre)
poses with Johnny Lim (left) and Laurie Laxon
after presenting them with the champion trainer awards
13
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TURF NEWS
Champion apprentices Harmeet Singh Gill (left) and Mark Ewe
(centre) pose with Dato Ong Eng Khuan after receiving their awards
Perak Turf Club Deputy Chairman Dato Cheah Choon King (left)
with champion jockeys Azhar Ismail (centre) and Saimee Jumaat
The Da Ma Cai Malaysian Bred of the Year was Summer
Fiesta, who started just twice in the season but scored a
runaway win in the Wira Malaysia Cup, the biggest race for
Malaysian breds. It was the third consecutive season the son
of Posen had won the Cup and subsequently the title.
In Singapore, Lim’s Stable, headed by Lim Siah Mong, was
the leading horse owner for the second year running with
prizemoney in excess of S$3 million.
The winners were announced at a gala dinner hosted by the
Singapore Turf Club on February 7 during which the
champions of the past season were also presented with their
awards.
Beh Chin Pheng from Golden Knight Stable became the
champion owner in Malaysia for the first time after amassing
around RM1.59 million in stakesmoney. Beh credits his trainer
Kevin Coetzee and his staff for the success.
First-season trainer Johnny Lim Boon Thong took the Malaysian
scene by storm, winning the trainer’s title with 71 wins.
Jockey Azhar Ismail retained his premiership with 61 wins
and apprentice Harmeet Singh Gill had a sensational season,
coming up tops with 53 wins, finishing third overall.
Penang Turf Club Committee Member John Alexander Rodgers
(left), President Dato Ong Eng Khuan with Singapore Turf Club
Committee Member Jerry Sung
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“It’s a wonderful honour to win the champion owner title
and more so for the second time in a row,” said Lim. “I have
to thank the great team behind this success. My partners
do a great job selecting horses and I’m lucky to have talented
trainers getting them into race fitness.”
Popular trainer Laurie Laxon captured an unprecedented
fifth consecutive title with 71 wins while jockey Saimee
Jumaat brought up his eighth title, five years after he was
last crowned champion jockey in 2003.
Apprentice jockey Mark Ewe proved the most consistent
among his peers to clinch the title with 16 wins.
John Alexander Rodgers casting his vote at the event.
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CLUB NEWS
JOY FOR THE ELDERLY
Old folk from the Little Sisters of the Poor
were treated to lunch and horse carriage
rides at the Penang Turf Club (PNTC) recently.
They also had a lot of fun feeding two
colourful ponies.
PNTC committee member John Alexander
Rodgers said club officials were touched to
see the residents happily interacting with
the horses.
“This outing for the residents may be a small
thing but it enables the club to bring some
cheer into the life of the elderly," said
Rodgers.
Present were Committee Members Dato
Seri Teh Choon Beng and newly elected
Saw Lip Khai, General Manager Leow Khin
Ming, Assistant Club Secretary Goh Su Yen
and Assistant Secretary for Marketing and
Public Relations Adeline Khoo.
John Alexander Rodgers presenting a goody bag and an ‘ang pow’ to Sister Emily.
Looking on are (from left) Saw Lip Khai, Goh Su Yen and Dato Seri Teh Choon Beng
The 25 residents, some in wheelchairs, and the 13 volunteers
were also given goodies and ‘ang pows’.
“It made them happy,” said Anne, adding the residents were
looking forward to the next outing at the turf club next year.
Sister Anne Claire from the home said it was the first time
residents had the chance to get close to horses and to feed
and touch the animals.
JAPANESE
VISITORS
Penang Turf Club Committee Member Dato
Seri Teh Choon Beng (right) welcoming
Hiroyuki Hirano (left) and Jun Takagi to the
Club recently.
15
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TURF EVENT
STAR STRUCK
Star Encounter bags Penang Turf Club Trophy at Ascot
Star Encounter
Four-year-old mare Star Encounter stepped up on her barrier
trial win just five days earlier to win the A$51,200 Penang
Turf Club Trophy for three-year-olds & upwards over 1,800m
at Ascot on Feb 14, 2009 — the annual MRA Day hosted by
Perth Racing.
Keeping well up with the pace throughout, the second
favourite, ridden by William Pike, made her move at the
home turn, hit the front 300m out and then held on gallantly
to win by one length from Insurgency (Street Cry - Ilze by
Lord Ballina), ridden by Jason Brown. Third of 13 runners
was Casual Life (Xaar - It’s Casual by Sound Reason) in the
handicap race.
It was the second win in 12 starts for the Adam Durranttrained Star Encounter (Jeune - Lady Ashford by Royal
Academy) and her first race for 10 weeks.
16
Winner of a Maiden race over 2,000m at Bunbury a year
earlier, Star Encounter was a top three-year-old, finishing
second in the Group 3 WA Oaks and third in the Group 1
WATC Derby, both over 2,400m.
Oon Chong Kie, then Committee Member of Penang Turf
Club (PNTC) presented the prizes to the winning connections.
Also in the PNTC delegation was Dato Seri Teh Choon Beng.
Perth Racing also staged races in honour of the Perak Turf
Club, Selangor Turf Club and Singapore Turf Club that day.
The A$50,500 Perak Turf Club Trophy, a handicap for threeyear-olds & upwards over 1,200m, was won by Mission
Control (Key Business - Josie’s Villa by Old Spice), representing
the father and son team of trainer Neville and jockey Brad
Parnham.
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Oon Chong Kie presenting the trophy to the winning owner
Winning jockey William Pike receiving his trophy
from Oon Chong Kie
It was the fifth win in 14 starts for Mission Control who
defeated Broome Time (Danetime - Degrade by Metal Storm),
ridden by Partick Carbery, and On The Carpet (Euclase Saviour by Marscay), the mount of William Pike. Eight horses
took part.
Phornium (Xaar - Ashes by Ideal Planet), ridden by Alan
Kennedy, emerged triumphant in the battle of fillies and
mares in the A$50,500 Singapore Turf Club Trophy, a handicap
for three-year-olds & upwards over 1,600m.
Veteran galloper Star Laser (Euclase - Noted Star by Karioi
Star), partnered by Jarrad Noske, captured the A$50,500
Selangor Turf Club Trophy, also a handicap for three-yearolds & upwards over 1,200m.
The four-year-old, like Star Encounter, is also trained by Adam
Durrant. It was her fifth win in 40 starts. Second in the race
was Feint (Warring Nations - It’s Not True by Carry A Smile)
and third in the 13-horse field was Classic Drop (Twining My Classical Miss by Classic Fame).
It was the 11th win in 65 starts for Star Laser, trained by J
P Taylor. He defeated Saffron Fire (Tayasu Tsuyoshi - Saffron
Flyer by Francis Bacon) and Electric General (General Nediym
- Prodigious by Zoffany) in the eight-horse field.
A group photo after the prize presentation
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TURF EVENT
CROSS-BORDER
BATTLE RESUMES
Singapore horses to add more excitement to Malaysia’s premier sprint
Although the Astro Wah Lai Toi Sprint Trophy
has the shortest history of the major sprints
in Malaysia, it quickly became the richest, the
most eagerly awaited classic each season.
The inclusion of Singapore trained horses in
the weight-for-age classic in 2005 elevated the
status of the event.
And the fact that horses from across the
causeway had failed to win the Sprint Trophy
in the two years they had participated thus
far, means that they will be even keener to
make an impact this year.
In 2005, when cross-border racing first resumed,
Penang trained Jeram New Village (Faltaat Encarta by Westminster) scored a resounding
win to lead a Malaysian 1-2-3 finish.
The next season, Ipoh trained Triple Happy (Bletchley Park
- Red Marya by Red Anchor) romped to a five-length victory,
with Singapore entry Tom Higgs (Al Akbar - Moon Voy by
Western Symphony) running him closest.
In 2007, the Sprint Trophy was not held after days of torrential
rain rendered the track unsafe for racing during the second
weekend of the Sprint Trophy meeting. It was the second
time — the first in 1999 — the Sprint Trophy was cancelled
because of the adverse track condition. Last year, the
corresponding weekend was also cancelled for the same
reason.
The re-scheduled Sprint Trophy, held during the Gold Cup
meeting in December, was confined to Malaysian horses.
Kuala Lumpur-trained Cheyenne Dancer (Indian Danehill Daylight Hour by Brief Truce), who had conquered a crossborder race at Kranji in October, proved his class once again
to lead all the way for a convincing win.
18
Cheyenne Dancer scores a convincing win last year
Although run over 1,400m since its inception in 1981, it is
not always the sprinters who emerged triumphant in the
race which began simply as Sprint Trophy.
No other classic on the local turf has produced such a mixed
bag of results, and perhaps it is because of this, the racing
fraternity eagerly looks forward to the race every year.
The inaugural winner Sovereign Escort II (St Chad - Alynda),
trained by the late Lee Seng Hup and ridden by Leslie Khoo
(now trainer), was a top-notch sprinter in his days.
The following year, Ten Hugs (Comedy Star - Maid Of Honour)
triumphed to provide trainer (now Dato Seri) Teh Choon
Beng the first of five winners in the series. That was the only
two years the Sprint Trophy was run as a handicap race.
In 1983, the Penang Turf Club switched the Sprint Trophy
to a weight-for-age event and immediately, the “stayers”
began to have their say as well. That year, proven stayer
Andermatt (Amalgam - Aminona by Oakville) upset the
champion sprinter Added Advantage II (Welsh Saint - Shade
by Gratitude).
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The next great stayer to triumph was St Gallen (Decies Aminona by Oakville), half-brother to Andermatt and twice
winner of the Yang Di Pertua Negeri Gold Cup and a Singapore
Gold Cup winner, who won by eight-and-a-half lengths in
1987!
Fischer (Al Khawaaneeg - Wayette Coghlin by Youth),
however, became the first horse to register back-to-back wins
in 1995 and 1996. The Malcolm Thwaites-trained gelding
came back in 1998 to win for the third time and is the only
three-time winner of the Sprint Trophy.
Then there was Colonial Chief (Vice Regal - Gold Seine by
Gold Sovereign), winner of the MRA Cup over 2,000m in
1988 and the Singapore Gold Cup the following year, who
romped home by seven lengths in 1990.
Thwaites’ maiden success in the event came in 1988 when
He’s Dawan (Coulee Man - Stroll by Walkers) literally frightened
away his potential rivals. Only five horses took on the champion
sprinter who coasted home by six-and-half lengths without
being extended.
Confidence V (Serheed - Cherie Avion by Captain’s Wings)
is another stayer who made his mark in 1997 and for three
years running from 2001, the stayers made the race their
own.
Smooth Sailing (Kinjite - Quiescent by Gleam Machine), who
had been placed in the Yang Di Pertua Negeri Gold Cup
(2,200m) and Tunku Gold Cup (2,000m), out-sprinted the
rest to win in 2001.
In 2002, Opposing Force (Jetball - Delia’s Choice by Sir
Tristram), winner of two Perak Derby over 2,400m, stormed
home on the extreme outside of the track to score an
emphatic win.
Champion mare Confluence (Paris Opera - Tristrams Jewel
by Sir Tristram) outshone everyone else to win in 2003 after
having won the Selangor Gold Cup over 2,000m.
But there were also some top sprinters who made their mark
in the Sprint Trophy.
After his initial success with Ten Hugs, Teh scored with the
very smart Teetoy (Blade - Good Tee Shot by Advocator) in
1986. He then saddled Batman (Godswalk - Orchid Vale by
Gallant Man) to victory in 1989 and 1991, and the grey
became the first horse to win the event twice.
The Sprint Trophy became the richest sprint and the second
richest race in Malaysia with prizemoney of RM700,000 in
2000. That year, Seaside Bank (Sikorsky - Casper Lady by
Christmas Tree) emerged victorious after a thrilling duel with
Endanger (Danehill - Hyeres by Gay Mecene).
The Penang Turf Club further raised the prizemoney of the
Sprint Trophy to RM750,000 in 2002 and the club created
history with the sponsorship of Astro Wah Lai Toi in 2003
when they were able to push the total prizemoney to RM1
million. That year, Confluence (Paris Opera - Tristrams Jewel
by Sir Tristram), ridden by Oscar Chavez, scored a memorable
win.
Chavez was back in the winner’s circle in 2005 when he
partnered Hunii (Clay Hero - Arvada Miss by Osmunda) to
victory, stealing a run on Flying Diamond (Telesto - Innocente
by Centaine) who flashed home too late to catch the winner.
Former Perth trainer Frank Maynard captured his first classic
on the local turf when he saddled Jeram New Village to
victory in 2005. Maynard repeated the success with Cheyenne
Dancer last December.
With Singapore horses expected to make the trip to Penang
again, it will be “back to business” for Astro Wah Lai Toi
Sprint Trophy. An exciting race awaits.
Teh’s fifth and final success was with Beta Ray Bill (Sound
Reason - Dentine by Noble Bijou) in 1993, making him the
most successful trainer with five wins in the series.
Triple Happy outclasses his rivals in 2006
Jeram New Village gives trainer Frank
Maynard his first classic win in 2005
Hunii triumphs in 2004
19
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TURF EVENT
SPRINT TROPHY WINNERS
YEAR
HORSE
OWNER
WGT
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Sovereign Escort II Ng’s Stable
49.5
Ten Hugs
Auric Stable
51
Andermatt
Equus Stable
57
Our Saint
Agasam Stable
57
Happiness II
Triomphe Stable
58.5
Teetoy
Goodman Stable
56
St Gallen
Equus Stable
58.5
He’s Dawan
He’s Dawan Stable 58.5
Batman
Auric Stable
56
Colonial Chief
Promise Stable
58.5
Batman
Auric Stable
57
The Kingfighter
Selangor Stable
58.5
Beta Ray Bill
Auric Stable
57.5
Kim Kim II
Kimmui’s Stable
58.5
Fischer
Eres Tu Stable
57
Fischer
Eres Tu Stable
58.5
Confidence V
Confidence Stable
58.5
Fischer
Eres Tu Stable
58.5
Race cancelled due to adverse track conditions
Seaside Bank
Winning Stable
58
Smooth Sailing
Resourceful Stable 58
Opposing Force
Revenge Stable
58
DIST.
TIME
JOCKEY
TRAINER
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1:24.8
1:25.1
1:22.9
1:23.2
1:28.2
1:24.3
1:29.2
1:25.7
1:29.7
1:26.1
1:22.4
1:27.9
1:23.1
1:22.8
1:26.9
1:26.9
1:28.8
1:22.5
L Khoo
R Rajoo
T Lucas
T S Chiam
M Johnston
P Johnson
L Danis
T Lucas
M Lyndon
K L Oo
K Clapperton
S Y Leong
K Clapperton
I Albuino
R Woodworth
S Y Leong
S Price
J Saimee
S H Lee
Teh Choon Beng
I Allan
G Bougoure
K Leong
Teh Choon Beng
C Read
M Thwaites
Teh Choon Beng
I Allan
Teh Choon Beng
J Ho
Teh Choon Beng
J Brink
M Thwaites
M Thwaites
F Nathan
M Thwaites
1400m
1400m
1400m
1:24.6
1:23.8
1:30.1
D O’Heare
K K Loh
S H Lee
K C Tiang
B Chua
R Lines
ASTRO WAH LAI TOI SPRINT TROPHY WINNERS
YEAR
HORSE
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Confluence
Confidence Stable
56.5
Hunii
Jackpot Stable
58
Jeram New Village
Gold Plus Stable
58
Triple Happy
Mdm Kong Sau Leng 57.5
Race cancelled due to adverse track conditions
Cheyenne Dancer
Cheyenne Stable
58
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OWNER
WGT
DIST.
TIME
JOCKEY
TRAINER
1400m
1400m
1400m
1400m
1:30.1
1:22.5
1:23.7
1:24.6
O Chavez
O Chavez
L Sofhan
C Segeon
F Nathan
M Breukelen
F Maynard
S Liew
1400m
1:23.2
R Burnett
F Maynard
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HOT AND COLD
Mixed results for punters in four heats of 3YO Championship at Sungei Besi
The first two heats of
the Da Ma Cai 2009
Malaysia Three-Year-Old
Championship went
according to expectations
by punters at Sungei Besi
on April 4, 2009 when
favourites Bright Prince
and Perfect Pins duly
obliged.
Bright Prince
But the next day, punters
were left reeling when
outsiders Dancing Vain
and Oseberg Gold stole
the show, with the latter
paying RM379 on the
win tote.
Bright Prince (Van Nistelrooy - Quiet Queen by King Hadrian),
backed down to odds-on, made it five wins in six starts when
he led all the way in the first heat.
Trained by Osman Sidek and ridden by Malik Erasmus Aslam,
Bright Prince won comfortably by a length from Conflience
(Zentsov Street - Happy And Famous by Danzero) with
Copenhagen (King Of Danes - Many Splendoured by Oregon)
third of nine runners.
Ridden by V. Sivan, Dancing Vain was always well up with
the pace and mastered the odds-on favourite Blesswithtalent
(Good Journey - Sistine Sensation by Perugino) after a keen
duel in the straight to win the third heat by a head. Third
was Sinar Harapan (Ishiguru - Copious by Racing Is Fun).
Dancing Vain, bought for NZ$80,000 by AG Tan, is also
owned by DOC Stable and trained by Frank Maynard.
Oseberg Gold (Istidaad - Miss Citidal by Blue Eyed Boy), who
finished down the field in her debut in March, showed vast
improvement to outsprint the two heavily-backed favourites
Inter Police and Kiko’s Marine to cause a huge upset.
Inter Police (Yonaguska - Juroar by Roar) had won his previous
start while Kiko’s Marine (Ekraar - Rosias by Galaxy Bound)
had won two of his first four outings. But ridden by Jackson
Low, Oseberg Gold was more than a match for them, winning
by half a length for trainer Mohd Sukri.
Oseberg Gold could turn out to be a rags-to-riches story in
the Championship, having been passed in at NZ$10,000 at
the New Zealand Ready To Run Sale.
It is interesting to note that her dam is a half-sister to Hard
Rock (by Isle Of Man), winner of six races in the local circuit
including the Yang Di Pertua Negeri Gold Cup, Tunku Gold
Cup and Raffles Cup.
Perfect Pins (Pins - La Cent by Centaine), trained by Frank
Maynard and ridden by Muhammad Nawawi bin Ahmad,
made it two wins in two starts by trashing his opposition by
four lengths in the second heat.
Trailing home second was Venetian Holiday (Lido Palace Away To Fame by Local Talent) with Kristhunder (Danasinga
- Her Excellency by Vice Regal) third of 14 runners.
While Bright Prince cost just NZ$20,000 as a yearling, AG
Tan of DOC Stable dished out NZ$170,000 for Perfect Pins
at the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sale two years ago.
Dancing Vain (Black Minnaloushe - In The Vain by Vain),
who won his debut in August last year but was spelled after
another run in October, was resuming after a spell.
Dancing Vain
- Photos courtesy of
Yee Khai Seng/Amy Loh
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TURF EVENT
CLEAN SWEEP
Trainer Tiang Kim Choi
dominates
3YO Championship
heats in Penang
Black Genius leads Big Red
Point home in the first heat
Trainer Tiang Kim Choi’s decision to replenish his stable with
a string of American breds recently began to pay dividends
when he won both the two Penang heats of the Da Ma Cai
2009 Malaysia Three-Year-Old Championship.
Black Genius was one of just two horses raced by new racing
outfit Tiong Lim Stable at that time. It just could turn out to
be beginner’s luck for the partnership come the final in
Penang on July 5, 2009.
Black Genius, a runaway winner in Restricted Maiden company
in his second start in April, was backed as if he could not
lose in the first heat on May 9, 2009.
Century Escort (Bold Truth - Spanish Vixen by Silent Fox),
unplaced in his first three starts, showed vast improvement
to down the favourite E-Mission (Magic Of Money - Corporate
Lady by Corporate Raider) by a head in the second heat on
May 10, 2009, with Joint Effort (Blackfriars - Hollywood
Touch by Citidancer) finishing third.
And Black Genius (Speed Jaro - Frosty Lady Who by Ice Age)
never gave his backers any anxious moment. Taking command
from the start, Black Genius, ridden by Yan Weng Kuan, led
his rivals on a merry chase and won by one and a quarter
lengths from Big Red Point (Viking Ruler - Tina Temple by
Diamond Express). Third was Big Dawn (Strategic - Befriend
by Marauding).
Century Escort is raced by Century Stable, who has come
into racing in a big way with 12 horses in training, ten of
them American breds.
“I’m happy to be able to reward my
owners for their support. I hope to
continue to do well in the Grand Final
which will be held in Penang,” said
Tiang.
Century Escort storms home on
the outside to win in a photo finish
in the second heat
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STRIKE
Kevin Coetzee serves
two surprises
in 3YO Championship
heats in Ipoh
Owner Beh Chin Pheng leads in Full Power
- Photos courtesy of Yee Khai Seng/Amy Loh
Coetzee was expected to win the final of three heats in Ipoh
with the favourite A Story, who was placed in his initial two
outings. But stablemate Full Power (Zeditave - Finance Review
by Last Tycoon), ridden by David Chong, stole the show
when he won by three quarters of a length. It was his first
win in six starts.
Unmatched (Fasliyev - Espresso by Bletchingly) finished
second, ahead of Saya Boleh (Numerous Times - Black Booties
by Salieri). A Story was fourth.
My Diamond returns to scale with Leong Yoon Fei astride
Champion trainer Kevin Coetzee will have two runners in the
Da Ma Cai Malaysia 2009 Three-Year-Old Championship
grand final in Penang on July 5 following the surprise victories
of Blue Tosca and Full Power in the heats in Ipoh on May
24, 2009.
Blue Tosca (Canny Lad - Desert Bride by Desert King), making
his racing debut with Rio Burnett in the saddle, proved too
strong for the odds-on favourite Captain Obvious (Verglas Shathor by Tirol), himself a first-up winner a month earlier.
In the first heat run on May 23, My Diamond (El Moxie - At
The Bar by Akaaber) followed up on his maiden win the
previous start to score a narrow victory over Victory My
Command (Align - Miss Zoey by Senor Pete).
They were the only two runners in the six-horse field with
a previous win to their name and they were followed home
by Rich Man’s World (El Moxie - Lady Of Aragon by Rustic
Amber).
My Diamond is trained by John McGillivray who will have a
second runner in the final in Unmatched.
Outsider Regal Rainbow (Occidental Tourist - Mayfield by
Straight Strike) set the pace from the start and held on for
third placing.
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TURF EVENT
GLORIOUS VICTORY
Gloria De Campeao gallant victor in Singapore Airlines International Cup
Gloria De Campaeo (on rails)
holds on to defeat Presvis
- Photos courtesy of Singapore Turf Club
Ridden by Tiago Josue Pereira, Gloria De Campeao (Impression
- Audacity by Clackson) tracked last year’s winner Jay Peg
who took command on settling down. He ranged alongside
the South African horse in the back straight and found
himself alone in the lead when Jay Peg compounded quickly
halfway out.
Presvis, winner of the Group 1 Audemars Piguet QE Cup at
Sha Tin in April, as usual trailed the field in the early running.
When the field turned for home, jockey Ryan Moore had
difficulty switching out for a run.
Jockey Pereira plants a kiss on Gloria De Campeao
at the unsaddling enclosure
Brazilian horse Gloria De Campeao, whose name means
“Glorious Champion” in Portuguese, lived up to his name to
win the Group 1 S$3 million Singapore Airlines International
Cup over 2,000m at Kranji on May 17, 2009 over a luckless
Presvis.
Stepping up on his superb second to Well Armed (Tiznow Well Dressed by Notebook) in the Dubai World Cup two
months earlier, the Pascal Bary-trained entire covered the
journey in a new course record time of 1 min. 59.2 secs.,
bettering the previous mark of 2 min. 0.8secs. set by Endless
Hall (Saddler’s Hall - Endless Joy by Law Society) in winning
this race in 2001.
24
When he finally got clear, Presvis (Sakhee - Forest Fire by
Never So Bold) flashed home and just failed to catch Gloria
De Campeao by a head. “What can I say? I was blocked.
There were a lot of horses coming back at me and I couldn’t
get out when I needed to,” said Moore.
Pereira, however, was elated with the win. “This win will be
seen to have more impact than my win in the Sao Paulo
Grand Prix. I have always had faith in this horse and ever
since I was invited to come here to ride him I have felt
confident in his ability. This is my first trip to Asia and it’s
my biggest career win.”
Gloria De Campeao was only recently transferred from Brazil
to France after performing with distinction in Brazil and the
UAE.
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John Alexander Rodgers (standing left) and Mrs Rosalind Rodgers
with Singapore Turf Club Committee Member Kwa Thiam Hock
(standing right) and Penang Turf Club Ordinary Members Yong
Nam Seng (seated left) and Eugene Yong Kon Yoon
at the International Cup dinner
Owner Stefan Friborg’s racing manager Patrick Barbe receives the
coveted trophy from Singapore President S R Nathan. Also present
are Stephen Lee, Chairman of Singapore Airlines, and Bobby Chin,
Chairman of the Singapore Totalisator Board (on right)
Trainer Bary, who is no stranger to international success
having bagged three Breeders’ Cups and the 1000 Guineas
in England, was just as happy at winning the Cup.
“I knew we had the race won at the 100m. He was going
too well and even when Presvis charged home, I knew it
was too late for him. It’s great to come all the way here and
win. I have raced in Hong Kong before but this is my first
win in Asia.”
“The horse was in excellent condition leading up to the race.
I was confident he would run well but I wasn’t sure he could
win,” said the 56-year-old.
“I think the track suited him. He’s very used to similar small
circuits and he loves the heat, being from Brazil. He has
thrived since he came here and I had no doubt he would
turn in a fine performance.
“We always planned to race him forward as that’s the way
he runs. When Jay Peg dropped out he found himself in the
lead and he kept going at a good tempo.
Bankable (Medicean - Dance To The Top by Sadler’s Wells),
from the Mick de Kock stable, finished third, ahead of
Australian entry Pompeii Ruler (Genuine - West With Night
by Pompeii Court).
Jay Peg trailed home a long last. Trainer Herman Brown said:
“Anton (Marcus) pulled him up as he felt the horse was
wobbling. He’s had problems with fluid loss, but he’s off to
stud now anyway.”
SINGAPORE AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CUP
GLORIA DE CAMPEAO (BRZ)
PRESVIS (GB)
BANKABLE (IRE)
POMPEII RULER (AUS)
TASCATA SORTE (JPN)
SARRERA (AUS)
BALIUS (IRE)
THE HORNET (AUS)
EL DORADO (JPN)
TOP SPIN (AUS)
RICOCO (BRZ)
JAY PEG (SAF)
5H
5G
5H
6G
5H
8G
6H
4G
5G
5G
4G
5H
P Bary
L Cumani
M de Kock
M Price
H Fujiwara
M Moroney
S Suroor
D Dragon
H Takaoka
L Laxon
P Shaw
H Brown
FR
UK
SAF
AUS
JPN
AUS
UAE
SIN
SIN
SIN
SIN
SAF
57
57
57
57
57
57
57
57
57
57
57
57
TJ Pereira
R Moore
K Shea
C Newitt
Y Iwata
C Williams
L Dettori
J Moreira
R Stewart
J Powell
R Fradd
A Marcus
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Going: Good
Winning time: 1 min. 59.2 secs.
Margins: Head, 2 3/4 lengths, 1 1/2 lengths
25
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TURF EVENT
BACK TO RULE
Sacred Kingdom bounces back to capture KrisFlyer
International Sprint in record time
Sacred Kingdom masters Rocket Man (partly-hidden) for a narrow victory
- Photos courtesy of Singapore Turf Club
Champion Hong Kong sprinter Sacred Kingdom, winner of
the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint in 2007, regained his best
form to register a sensational win in the S$1 million KrisFlyer
International Sprint over 1,200m at Kranji on May 17, 2009,
denying local hero Rocket Man a first Singapore success in
the race.
“After his last win in Hong Kong I thought I had him back,”
said Yiu, former jockey in Hong Kong. “He was taking time
to hit his form but he was back to his old self last time.
“He travelled over here so well and was so relaxed. I was
always confident of him running very well. What a fantastic
result. He’s always been my baby and to come away here
on his first trip is truly fantastic.”
Sacred Kingdom (Encosta De Lago - Courtroom Sweetie by
Zeditave) went amiss after winning the Hong Kong Group
2 Sprint Cup in May 2008 only resumed racing in February
this year. He bounced back to winning form to win the same
race on May 1 and that set him up nicely for the task ahead
in Singapore.
“It was an exciting race,” said Prebble. “Today he (Sacred
Kingdom) was very strong and he was actually idling down
at the end. World sprinters are pretty easy to press the button
on and go. He came back to full fitness tonight and we saw
what he can do.”
Ridden by Brett Prebble, Sacred Kingdom came from just
off the pace to defeat Rocket Man (Viscount - Macrosa by
Mr Ginty) by a neck after a thrilling tussle in the straight.
“It was a determined win from my horse but I wouldn’t like
to be taking him (Rocket Man) on next year when he’s bigger
and stronger.”
Rocket Man, partnered by Robbie Fradd, hit the front at the
300m after pacemaker Mythical Light came under pressure.
But Sacred Kingdom quickly went after Rocket Man and
they cleared away from the rest to fight out the finish.
Robbie Fradd, rider of Rocket Man, said: “You couldn’t be
disappointed with that. Remember he’s only a three-yearold and the winner is a champion sprinter in Hong Kong.
Come next season this one will be even better.”
With the race run at a cracking pace, the Ricky Yiu-trained
Sacred Kingdom broke Rocket Man’s course record of 1min.
8.6secs. with a time of 1min. 7.8secs.
A long third was Godolphin Stable’s Diabolical (Artax - Bonnie
Byerly by Dayjur), ahead of Singapore’s Waikato (Pins Skywalker Wilkes by Skywaker) who occupied the same spot
last year.
26
P
Jockey Brett Prebble acknowledges the crowd on returning to scale.
In the foreground is trainer Ricky Yiu
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Trainer Ricky Yiu receiving his trophy from Chairman of Singapore
Airlines, Stephen Lee, with owner Sin Kang Yuk to his left. On the
left is Singapore Turf Club Chairman Tan Guong Ching and on the
right is Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President (Marketing and
the Regions) Huang Cheng Eng
Australia’s globe-trotting multiple Group 1 winner Takeover
Target, who won the race in course record time last year,
failed to reproduce that run and finished eighth.
“I had a lovely run from the alley, one out and one back, but
tonight he didn’t travel underneath me and was very onepaced. It will be interesting to see how he pulls out in
the morning. He wasn’t himself,” said jockey Jay Ford.
Singapore Turf Club Chairman Tan Guong Ching (third from right)
with (from left) Mrs Rosalind Rodgers, Goh Su Yen,
Teoh Mei Shean, John Alexander Rodgers and Saw Lip Khai
at the International Cup dinner
KRISFLYER INTERNATIONAL SPRINT
SACRED KINGDOM (AUS)
ROCKET MAN (AUS)
DIABOLICAL (USA)
WAIKATO (NZ)
CAPABLANCA (AUS)
MYTHICAL LIGHT (SAF)
FANTASTIC OWNERS (AUS)
TAKEOVER TARGET (AUS)
INSPIRATION (AUS)
BEAU BRUMMELL (NZ)
MADAME TROP VITE (IRE)
LIM’S FIGHTER (AUS)
PRIME DEFENDER (GB)
5G
3G
6H
5G
7G
5G
5G
9G
5G
4G
3F
6G
5H
R Yiu
P Shaw
S Surror
L Laxon
D Baertschiger
S Tarry
B Dean
J Janiak
J Moore
D Hill
K Ryan
J Meagher
B Hills
HK
SIN
UAE
SIN
SIN
SAF
SIN
AUS
HK
SIN
UK
SIN
UK
57
55.5
57
57
57
57
57
57
57
57
51.5
57
57
B Prebble
R Fradd
L Dettori
J Saimee
J Powell
K Shea
M Gallagher
J Ford
D Beadman
M Cahill
J Quinn
Din Azis
M Hills
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Going: Good
Winning time: 1 min. 7.8 secs.
Margins: Neck, 3 1/2 lengths, 3/4 length.
27
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TURF EVENT
GREAT POTENTIAL
Kotipelto bags Penang Turf Club Trophy despite racing greenly
Kotipelto gets the better of Ready For Success - Photos courtesy of Singapore Turf Club
Kotipelto chalked up his second win in three starts when he
captured the $55,000 Penang Turf Club Trophy for Class 4,
Div 2 - 1,400m sprint at Kranji on May 17, 2009 but trainer
John Meagher said the three-year-old still had a lot of maturing
to do before reaching his full potential.
“He’s still a bit dumb but he’s learning about racing all the
time,” said Meagher. “He’s got a good future and will
appreciate a bit more ground.” This makes Kotipelto one of
the horses to watch in the Three-Year-Old Challenge series
this year.
Jockey Saimee Jumaat receiving his trophy
from Dato Ong Eng Khuan
Kotipelto is owned by the Coral Stable of which Hong Kong
based journalist Murray Bell and his brother John hold a
majority share along with Gerry Yeap and Rupert Legh from
Melbourne.
A delegation from Penang Turf Club was at Kranji to witness
the race. Club President Dato Ong Eng Khuan presented the
trophies to the winning connections.
Kotipelto (Keeper - Sleep Well by O’Reilly) started
well and jockey Saimee Jumaat settled him down
in midfield just off the fence. He was switched
out for a run at the top of the straight and Saimee
managed to find a gap among a wall of horses.
It was anybody’s race at one stage but Saimee
got Kotipelto going in the final 100m to win by
three quarters of a length from Ready For Success
(More Than Ready - Oaks Room by Jugah).
Secondtonone (Catbird - Our Grace by Tirol) was
an unlucky third.
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The winning connections with the Penang Turf Club delegation
and Committee Members of Singapore Turf Club
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NO TRADING
PLACES
Trade N Luck bags
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Anniversary Cup
for second season
Trade N Luck easily defeats Summer Fiesta for victory
– Mysterious Smile by Covetous) started odds-on and looked
good for victory when he hit the front in the home straight.
But he could not hold off the Leong Poh Keong-trained Trade
N Luck in the closing stages.
Trainer Leong
Poh Keong
receiving the
winning trophy
from Dato Ong
Eng Khuan
Hong Fu (Magic Of Money - Lin Yin by Slavic) finished third
in the 13-horse field.
Trade N Luck found his right form again after a 12-month
lapse to capture the RM125,000 Tunku Abdul Rahman
Anniversary Cup (1,400m) for the second consecutive season
in Penang on May 9, 2009.
Penang Turf Club President Dato Ong Eng Khuan presented
the trophies to the winning connections.
Trade N Luck, purchased for just RM5,000 at the National
Premier Sale, is a half-brother to Trust In Me (by Zoffany),
winner of the Wira Malaysia Cup in 2000.
Form deserted the entire after his victory
last year, until he showed up again with a
second to Summer Fiesta in the National
Stud Farm Silver Plate in March.
Trade N Luck (Magic Of Money - Sarwell
by Kala Dancer) then stepped up on that
run to gain sweet revenge on Summer Fiesta
in this year’s Tunku Abdul Rahman
Anniversary Cup, beating the latter by two
lengths in the soft going.
Winner of three Wira Malaysia Cups and
the first Malaysian bred to earn more than
RM1m in prizemoney, Summer Fiesta (Posen
A group photo after the prize presentation
29
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TURF EVENT
HAPPY
JUBILEE
Happy Victory upsets
all calculations to win Silver Jubilee
Sultan Perak Trophy
To commemorate Sultan Azlan Shah’s 25th year on the Perak
throne, the Perak Turf Club staged the RM1 million Silver
Jubilee Sultan Perak Trophy on May 3, 2009 which attracted
the cream of Malaysia’s gallopers.
But there was little joy for punters in the one-off 1,600m
event because rank outsider, Eastern Stable’s Happy Victory,
trained by Kevin Coetzee, upset all calculations to pay RM525
for a win.
Owner Beh Chin Pheng
leads in Happy Victory –
Happy Victory (King's Best - Bylaw by Lear Fan), who had
not won beyond 1,400m previously, was the least backed
in the field of 14 runners. But the ‘soft’ track conditions
probably played to his game.
Photos courtesy of Yee Khai
Seng/Amy Loh
Jockey Samsir Hamid set him to the front and he had a nice
lead all the way till inside the final 200m. “I knew I would
make it inside the final 250m because the others gave me
too much of a lead,” said Samsir after the race.
Shantou Mayor (Montjeu - Terlingua Light by Catrail), winner
of the Selangor Gold Cup (1,600m) in 2008, gave chase in
the closing stages but Happy Victory held on to win by half
a length.
Trainer Kevin Coetzee
receiving his trophy
from Sultan Azlan Shah
Top-weight and favourite Kiko’s Return (Minardi – Joe’s Girl
by Amalgam), winner of the Selangor Gold Cup a month
earlier, came from last early to finish third.
It was the sixth win in 19 starts for Happy Victory, who cost
just A$21,000 as a yearling. His latest win took his earnings
close to RM1.3 million.
A beaming Samsir Hamid
receiving his trophy from
Sultan Azlan Shah
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Sultan Azlan Shah was on hand to present the trophies to
the winning connections.
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RED HOT
Rocket Man sizzles
in Lion City Cup victory
Rocket Man goes to the line on a tight
hold in the Lion City Cup
– Photos courtesy of Singapore Turf Club
Despite carrying 5.5kg more than he did in the Kranji Sprint,
in which he set a new course record with a time of 1 min.
8.6 secs., Rocket Man (Viscount - Macrosa by Mr McGinty)
went within 0.1 second of that mark in the Lion City Cup.
Rocket Man quickly settled into the lead, paced by Waikato.
The 2008 winner, Capablanca looked a possibility when he
closed in on the leaders in third spot making the home turn.
But Rocket Man kicked away soon after and went to the line
two and three quarters lengths ahead of the rest.
Winning owner Alfredo Crabbia (left), trainer Patrick Shaw (centre)
and jockey Robbie Fradd
Lim’s Fighter (Flying Spur – Sky Watch by Star Watch) flashed
home to finish second, as he did in 2008, just ahead of
Onceuponatime (Van Nistelrooy – Scarlet Runner by Kingdom
Bay) who also 'flew' in the closing stages.
Rocket Man became the shortest-priced winner in the history
of the S$500,000 Lion City Cup when he trashed his rivals
in the Singapore premier sprint over 1,200m at Kranji on
April 24, 2009, stretching his unbeaten run to seven wins.
Punters went to town on Rocket Man who paid $6 for a
win. His starting price was shorter than the $7 returned by
Why Be (Success Express – Charybdis by Royal Academy)
who won the same race in 2007.
It was the first major test for the Australian three-year-old,
after his victories in the one-off Magic Millions Orchid Trophy
(for three-year-olds), Singapore Three Year Old Sprint and
the Kranji Sprint.
“He proved he was a real champion tonight,” said Patrick
Shaw, trainer of Rocket Man. “He did it hard on the pace
and was still able to quicken. He had two quality weight-forage horses chasing him throughout but he broke their hearts.”
31
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TURF EVENT
GRAND DOUBLE
Restored completes big race double with Queen Elizabeth II Cup victory
Restored collars Ricoco to register a magnificent win – Photos courtesy of Yee Khai Seng/Amy Loh
Restored proved that his surprise win in the MRA Cup
(1,800m) in February was no fluke when he carved out a
narrow victory in the S$350,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over
2,000m at Kranji on April 19, 2009.
Imperial Green (Senor Pete - Geneva by Warsaw Pact), who
finished third, could be in the Derby line-up too.
However, jockey Powell warned: “He’s just so versatile and
I think he will just continue to develop into a good stayer.”
It was his first attempt beyond 1,800m and not only did he
pass the test with flying colours, Restored (Red Ransom Pristine Kristine by Spinning World) also showed that he is
a horse very much on the upgrade.
The Dr Yeoh Kheng Chye-trained galloper settled second
behind the pacemaker Ricoco (Put In Black - Giggi Fazi by
Bright Again) who held a clear lead into the straight and
was still three quarters of a length in front at the 100m.
But Restored, under the urging of jockey John Powell,
responded superbly in the closing stages to collar Ricoco in
the shadows of the winning post to win by a neck.
Restored, winner of his only start over 1,600m in New
Zealand, will aim for a win in the Singapore Derby in July
where he is likely to match up with Ricoco again.
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South Korean owners Mr and Mrs Nam Yoon Suck of SYK Stable,
Dr Yeoh Kheng Chye and jockey John Powell with their trophies
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GLORIOUS
RETURN
Kiko’s Return bounces back to winning
form to capture Selangor Gold Cup
Kiko’s Return comes back
to scale with Din Azis
astride – Photos courtesy of
Yee Khai Seng/Amy Loh
Trainer Johnny Lim
(right) receives his
trophy from
Selangor Turf Club
Chairman Tunku
Dato Seri
Shahabuddin
Kiko’s Return, who reeled off seven consecutive wins from
mid-2007 to mid-2008 including the Perak Derby, was back
in the winner's circle when he triumphed in the RM600,000
Selangor Gold Cup over 1,600m at Sungei Besi on April 12,
2009.
In four starts since his last success in June 2008, Kiko’s Return
(Minardi - Joe's Girl by Amalgam) finished third in the Piala
Emas Sultan Selangor, third in the Coronation Cup and third
in the Yang Di Pertua Negeri Gold Cup.
The Gold Cup victory was his eighth in 16 starts and brought
his earnings past the RM1,190,000 mark. A true rags-toriches story for a horse who cost NZ$28,000 as a yearling
but was subsequently sold for a reduced price of NZ$20,000
at the Ready To Run Sale.
For trainer Johnny Lim, it was his second consecutive Selangor
Gold Cup success after having won with Shantou Mayor
(Montjeu – Terlingua Light by Catrail) in 2008.
Din Azis, who was supposed to be a spectator in the race,
was a last-minute replacement for the indisposed Saimee
Jumaat and went on to register his second big success on
this track, following his Piala Emas Sultan Selangor victory
on Trigger Express (Citidancer – Rich Resource by Chanteclair)
in 2008.
Making his seasonal debut in the
Selangor Gold Cup, the Johnny
Lim trained five-year-old failed to
get going early and was the last
horse to turn for home.
But Kiko’s Return, ridden by Din
Azis, unleashed a terrific burst
of speed to overhaul all other
runners to win by two lengths.
Colourland Supreme (Al Akbar
- The Sky Moved by Spectacular
Love) finished second, ahead of
Joker Treasure (Kashani - Dash
Of Luck by Balmerino).
The winning connections with Committee Members of Selangor Turf Club
33
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TURF EVENT
GIANT
KILLER
Restored surprises strong
field to win MRA Cup
Restored returns to scale with John Powell astride
– Photos courtesy of Yee Khai Seng/Amy Loh
Unheralded Restored silenced the big guns with a gutsy
display in the S$300,000 MRA Cup over 1,800m at Kranji
on February 8, 2009.
It was a giant-killing act for a horse who just two runs prior
to the MRA Cup was still racing in Class 4. But trainer Dr
Yeoh Kheng Chye saw the potential in his charge and decided
to take on some of the best gallopers in Singapore that
included Singapore Gold Cup winners Mr Line and El Dorado.
Trainer Yeoh Kheng Chye receiving his trophy from Singapore Turf
Club Chairman Tan Guong Ching. In the centre is Penang Turf Club
President Dato Ong Eng Khuan
For Restored, it was his first race over a distance other than
1,600m. He won his only start over the ‘mile’ in New Zealand
and started six times for a win and three placings in Singapore
before the MRA Cup.
Restrained by John Powell and racing second last on
the rails in the eight-horse field early, Restored (Red
Ransom - Pristine Kristine by Spinning World) never
left the rails. That decision by his rider paid dividends
because the field opened up at the top of the straight,
leaving room for Restored to take the shortest possible
route to the winning line.
First, Restored went after the pacemaker Ricoco, just
as The Hornet was making his run wide out. Restored
and The Hornet (High Yield – Millennium Miss by
Flying Spur) then cleared away from the rest to fight
out the finish, with the former getting the upper
hand by half a length. Ricoco (Put It Back – Giggi
Fazi by Bright Again) held on for third.
The winning connections with representatives of the Malayan Racing Association
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HAPPY ADVANTAGE
Happy Victory upsets Cheyenne Dancer to win Tunku Gold Cup
Happy Victory leads Cheyenne Dancer home in the Tunku Gold Cup
Happy Victory took advantage of a huge ‘pull’ in the weight
to upset the odds-on favourite Cheyenne Dancer in the
RM600,000 Tunku Gold Cup at Sungei Besi on February 1,
2009.
With the Selangor Turf Club’s decision to switch the 1,200m
sprint from a weight-for-age event to a set-weight contest
this year, Happy Victory was one of two horses who were
handicapped at 50kg for the opening classic of the 2009
season.
Top-weight Cheyenne Dancer went into the race on the back
of three consecutive wins, including a cross-border race at
Kranji and the re-scheduled RM1 million Astro Wah Lai Toi
Sprint Trophy (1,400m) in December.
Tunku Dato Ahmad Nerang presenting the winning
trophy to trainer Kevin Coetzee (right)
The other bottom-weight, outsider Ultimate Glamour
(Dangerous - Traumatic by Quest For Fame) finished third.
Happy Victory, winner of the Dewar's Sprint for three-yearolds in June 2008, finished down the field in his first big test
in the Sultan Gold Vase last November.
Next time out, he finished third to stablemate Time Speed
in the Malaysian 2008 Magic Millions Classic and he continued
to make steady
progress to clinch
his fifth win in
17 starts in the
Tunku Gold Cup.
Cheyenne Dancer (Indian Danehill - Daylight Hour by Brief
Truce) appeared set to extend his winning run when he
disputed the early lead and easily hit the front at the home
turn.
But Happy Victory (King's Best - Bylaw by Lear Fan), who
settled in midfield early with jockey Shahrul Nizam astride,
unleashed a powerful run in the closing stages to defeat
Cheyenne Dancer by one and three quarters lengths.
Jockey Shahrul
Nizam receiving
his trophy from
Tunku Dato
Ahmad Nerang
35
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TURF GALLERY
BE OUR GUESTS
Some of the distinguished guests and visitors at the Penang Turf Club recently
Dr Teruyuki Imahara and Mr Masahiro Araki
Mrs and Mr Tan Wei Kang
Mrs & Mr Oon Jin Leong
and Ms Sarah Norton
36
Mr Hiroyuki Koezuka, Ms Kaoru Matsuda and Dr Shingo Nakanishi
Mr and Mrs Jeremy Smith
Ms Lim Shueh Wen, Mr Miguel Capalag
and Ms Teoh Mei Shean
Dr and Mrs Chong Chu Ling
Mrs and Mr Ng Kok Choon
P
Mr Michael Axt and Ms Karen Wilson
Mr Lyle and Mrs Janet Plumb
Dato Robert Chan Woot Khoon, Mr Chan Hong Saik,
Mr Teh Kwan Wey and Ms Chan Yu Yhong
Dato Robert Chan Woot Khoon, Mr David Law
and Dato Seri Teh Choon Beng
Dato & Datin Loh Hock Hun and Ms Loh Lin Sue
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Mr & Mrs Lars Blomdal Ase
Mr Thomas Chan Ewe Leong, Mr Jeffrey Lee Chin Wah,
Mrs Bernadette and Mr John Craven
Dato Seri Teh Choon Beng and
Dato Chew Choong Seong
Dr & Mrs T J Wong
37
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WINNER’S CIRCLE
Front Runner congratulates some of the owners
with victories at the Club recently
FLYING MELANG
UNIVERSAL HERO
CONSTIDAAD
Appointment Handicap
Class 4 – 1200m
15.2.2009
Owner : Melang Stable
Trainer : K H Ng
Jockey : A Chew
Trow Hill Handicap
Maiden – 1200m
21.2.2009
Owner : Universal Stable
Trainer : S H Tan
Jockey : E Aslam
Airmark Handicap
Class 4 – 1700m
14.3.2009
Owner : Confidence & Confluence Stable
Trainer : P Pereira
Jockey : O Chavez
UNCLETWO
CIZEN TYCOON
GOOD MAN
Siam Rice Handicap
Maiden – 1700m
21.2.2009
Owner : Famous Red Stable
Trainer : S Cook
Jockey : J Shankar
Ajit Handicap
Class 5 – 1700m
15.3.2009
Owner : Han Emperor Stable
Trainer : C Robert
Jockey : RB Woodworth
Avenger Stakes
Restricted Maiden – 1200m
14.3.2009
Owner : Golden Knight Stable
Trainer : K Coetzee
Jockey : I Azhar
BIG DAWN
Individuality Stakes
Restricted Maiden – 1400m
21.3.2009
Owner : Right Spirit Stable
Trainer : K C Tiang
Jockey : K Eirwan
38
NORTHERN MUSIC
Baby Chris Handicap
Class 5 – 1700m
15.3.2009
Owner : Paint Emperor Stable
Trainer : E Breukelen
Jockey : V Sivan
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BLACK GENIUS
ISLAND STAR
Rimfire Handicap
Class 5 – 1200m
15.3.2009
Owner : Double R Stable
Trainer : C Robert
Jockey : RB Woodworth
Amusement Stakes
Restricted Maiden (Home Based) – 1200m
18.4.2009
Owner : Tiong Lim Stable
Trainer : K C Tiang
Jockey : W K Yan
TOMAHAWK
Proud Moment Handicap
Class 5 (Home Based) – 1700m
18.4.2009
Owner : Foo Hou Stable
Trainer : P Roslan
Jockey : J Shankar
CUTTING EDGE
Baba Handicap
Class 5 – 1200m
9.5.2009
Owner : Three Lines Stable
Trainer : S Cook
Jockey : M Djulkifli
HE’S BORN
Siapa Tahu Handicap
Maiden – 1400m
22.3.2009
Owner : Zurich Stable
Trainer : F Nathan
Jockey : R Burnett
GOVERNOR ZANNER
Audiola Handicap
Class 4 (Home Based) – 1700m
18.4.2009
Owner : Platinum Stable
Trainer : P Roslan
Jockey : RB Woodworth
CONFLIENCE
World Freedom Stakes
Restricted Maiden – 1200m
10.5.2009
Owner : Confidence Stable
Trainer : R Lines
Jockey : O Chavez
LAPIDADO
Balam Handicap
Class 5 – 1700m
10.5.2009
Owner : Classican No 2 Stable
Trainer : M Sukri
Jockey : I Saifudin
RED SCENT
Broadway Bill Handicap
Class 4 – 1100m
10.5.2009
Owner : Berjaya Stable
Trainer : K H Ng
Jockey : A Lee
39
TURF INFO
CHRONOLOGY
OF EVENTS
Significant milestones in the history of the Malayan Racing Association
1786
Francis Light forms the British Settlement
on Penang Island (Prince of Wales Island)
in the name of the English East India
Company.
1805
Penang is raised to the status of a British
Indian Presidency under the East India
Company.
1819
Stamford Raffles forms the British
Settlement on the Island of Singapore.
1826
Penang, Malacca and Singapore are joined
together to form the Presidency of the
Straits Settlements with its capital in
Penang.
1830
The Presidency of the Straits Settlements
is reduced to a Residency under the direct
supervision of the East India Company’s
government at Calcutta.
1831
The capital of the Straits Settlements is
transferred from Penang to Singapore.
1842
Establishment of the Singapore Turf Club
at Farrer Park.
1864
Establishment of the Penang Turf Club at
Jalan Macalister.
1867
Transfer of control of the Straits
Settlements from India to the Colonial
Office, London. The opening of the Suez
Canal.
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1874
The Pangkor Engagement, by which the
British recognize Raja Abdullah as Sultan
of Perak and impose a British adviser
(Resident) on him. British adviser (Resident)
imposed on Selangor.
1886
First Perak Turf Club is established in
Taiping.
View of George Town, Penang
January, 1876
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1946
April – Singapore becomes a separate
crown colony from Straits Settlements and
Malay States.
1957
1961
Birth of the Federation of Malaya.
1963
Singapore, British North Borneo and
Sarawak join Malaya to form the Malaysian
Federation.
1965
Singapore separates from Malaysia to
become a Republic.
1993
Selangor Turf Club moves to new
racecourse in Sungei Besi.
1999
September – Singapore Turf Club moves
to new racecourse in Kranji. Twilight and
night racing begins.
2000
First running of Singapore Airlines
International Cup. Yang Di Pertua Negeri
Gold Cup becomes first million-ringgit race
in Malaysia.
2002
November – Penang Turf Club members
vote to build a new ultra-modern
racecourse. Yang Di Pertua Negeri Gold
Cup stakes is increased to RM1.3 million.
2003
September – Astro Wah Lai Toi sponsors
Penang Sprint Trophy. Stakes increased to
RM1 million.
2005
March – Youth and Sports Minister Dato
Azalina Othman Said officiates at the
ground breaking ceremony of the Penang
International Equestrian Centre.
Straits Racing Association becomes Malayan
Racing Association. Racing (Totalisator
Board) Act, Federation of Malaya – an Act
to provide for the establishment of a
Totalisator Board with the powers to
conduct betting, equine research and to
establish, maintain and improve the
Malaysian Turf Clubs.
The Penang Turf Club grandstand 1939
1896
Straits Racing Association is established.
Creation of the Federated Malay States
(Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak and
Selangor). Selangor Turf Club is established
in Ampang.
1921
1924
1926
1933
1939
First Penang Gold Cup.
1941
December – Japan invades Malaya and
Singapore.
1945
September – British forces land in Penang
and Singapore.
First Singapore Gold Cup.
Perak Turf Club moves to Ipoh.
Singapore Turf Club moves to Bukit Timah.
Penang Turf Club moves to Batu Gantong.
First Selangor Gold Cup.
Racing resumes in Penang Turf Club with
Grand Victory Meeting at Batu Gantong
on September 29.
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BRIEF HISTORY OF PENANG TURF CLUB
CLUB INFO
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There has been organised racing in
Penang for 144 years, with the Penang
Turf Club having been founded in 1864.
But the first ponies from England started
to arrive in Penang (formerly known as
Prince of Wales Island) as soon as Francis
Light hoisted the Union Jack in 1786 at
the Esplanade in honour of George,
Prince of Wales, who later became King
George IV.
An oil painting (shown above) by William
Daniell in 1818 (a year before the
founding of Singapore), showing the
view of North Beach from the Council
House, depicts clearly four horses on
the beach with their strappers.
However, the Sport of Kings only took
off with the establishment of the Penang
Turf Club. It was natural that David
Brown, a member of the celebrated
Gelugor family, should have been the
first president and that a son of his, D
A M Brown, should at the turn of the
century be Secretary and Clerk of the
Course and in due time President.
The Club received a free land grant in
MacAlister Road for its course of seven
furlongs and 81 3/4 yards. Here the first
stands and buildings of wood and attap
were put up in 1869 and small annual
never more than $600 for the whole
meeting then.
The racecourse became the venue for
recreation for the English gentlemen
and ladies as the sport was confined
exclusively to the Europeans. Even then,
the influence of the East was prevalent
as can be seen in a trophy laced with
Chinese dragons in 1878.
David Brown,
the first president of Penang Turf Club
Datuk Lim Huck Aik,
the longest serving president
By 1898, Penang was holding two
meetings a year, two days in January
and two in July, known as the Spring
and Autumn races. Prizemoney for the
year totalled $5,950. Race days were
usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays
and were declared public holidays in the
Straits Settlement of Penang.
Even the funicular hill railway timetable
was scheduled to coincide with race
days. Hence, the late trains up the hill
were on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
This practice was discontinued only
recently. In 1900, new and substantial
stands were built. These were to serve
the Club for nearly 40 years until the
Club acquired its present 93-hectare site
for $250,000 at Batu Gantong in 1935.
At the three-day January meeting in
1907, the stakes totalled $26,000.
There were entries from the Federated
Malay States, Singapore, Burma, the
Netherlands Indies and India.
Membership was then 500. Locals
became involved in racing by the turn
of the century and among the prominent
Penang owners were Dr P V Locke, Lee
Toon Poon, Chung Thye Siong and his
brother Chung Thye Pin, whose
Devilment won the Singapore Derby in
1905. Chung Thye Pin donated a castiron water fountain to the Club in 1904.
This fountain is now relocated to the
front of the golf clubhouse. World War
I held up the growth of racing
throughout the region and it barely had
time to get going again before it was
badly affected by the Depression of the
Thirties.
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CLUB INFO
Nevertheless, Penang went ahead with the purchase and
construction of the new course and stands at Batu Gantong
in a splendid setting. Work was completed at a cost of
$350,000 and the course
was opened on May 27,
1939 by J D Kemp, who
was President when work
began in 1936. The
course is nine furlongs
and 94 yards. The Club
also has a golf course
with seven holes in the
centre of the course
proper and 11 holes in
adjoining areas. The
three-floor grandstand is
of the most modern
design, giving all seats a
clear view of racing.
There are excellent
totalisator and other
facilities and an infield
indicator board. Racing
can also be viewed from
tea pavilions for members
and Ordinary Members.
When World War II broke
out there were over
100 horses in training
at Penang. Largely due
to the efforts of Ong
Huck Lim, a prominent
Chancery lawyer who
later became President
of the Club, racing
managed to carry on
between 1942 and 1945.
With Lieutenant Colonel
Drake-Brockman, Ong
worked on rehabilitation
after the war and they were later joined by C D D Hogan, a
former President, in ensuring a return to pre-war standards.
Lee Toon Poon, for many years a prominent supporter of the
Club, became President and he was succeeded by Tan Sri
Lee Tiang Keng and Datuk Lim Huck Aik. The late Datuk Lim
was the longest serving President, from November 1958 until
his retirement in July 1982. He must be remembered as the
person who was instrumental in turning the Penang Turf
Club from the verge of bankruptcy (in those early days) to
what it is today. The end of 1978 marked the opening of the
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Grandstand Extension Building which was built
adjacent to the existing grandstand. The new grandstand
is a commendable piece of about RM4.5 million
and took wo years to
build. This extension,
which provides seating
for 3,000 and standing
room for 2,000, brought
the Club's capacity to
8,000.
The new building with
two tiers of public gallery
and split level rows of
chairs, gives an
unobstructed view of
racing. The top floor
houses the VIP suite,
luxuriously finished with
boxed in windows and
skylights that allow for
natural lighting of the
lounge behind the
viewing boxes. There
were also cafeterias on
the first and second
floors.
The year 1980 was a
very busy one for the
Club. It marked the
complete installation of
a closed-circuit television
system and also a new
c o m p u te r i s e d to te
sell/pay system. In
December that year, the
Yang Di-Pertua Negeri
Gold Cup Meeting was
transmitted to the Perak
Turf Club, marking the
first-ever “live” telecast of races on the local circuit.
The year 2000 was also a significant one for the Penang Turf
Club. Firstly, the Club co-hosted the 27th Asian Racing
Conference with the Singapore Turf Club.
The same year, the Club staged the first million-ringgit race
in Malaysia with the running of the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri
Gold Cup.
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PENANG TURF CLUB’S BUNGALOW AT PENANG HILL
DETAILS
• One large master bedroom with a king size bed and attached
bathroom / toilet
• One large bedroom with a king size bed
• One large bedroom with a queen size bed and a double decker
bunk bed
• One large dining room with dining sets and table for 8 people
• One large living room with TV
• One fully equipped kitchen with plates and cutlery
• One common bathroom/toilet
• Fridge
• Washing machine
• Ironing board & iron
• Karaoke
OTHER FACILITIES
• Outdoor BBQ facilities
GAMES / LEISURE FACILITIES
•
•
•
•
One mahjong table with mahjong set
One table tennis table
One monopoly set
One scrabble set
RENTAL RATES **
Check In: Check out:
2.00 pm
2 Nights Weekend Package RM400 Friday
Saturday
3 Nights Weekend Package RM600 Friday
12.00 noon
Sunday
Monday
Monday
Weekday
RM200 Monday Thursday Next Day
Friday / Saturday / Sunday
RM250 /Night
Eve of Public Holiday
RM250 /Night
Public Holidays
RM250 /Night
School Holidays
RM250 /Night
**TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Bookings must be made at least 2 weeks in advance and are only accepted with full payment.
2. A security deposit of RM500.00 is required with each booking. This deposit shall be used to make good against any
damages howsoever caused by the Member or his Guest/s during the rental period to the property of Penang Turf Club.
3. A cancellation charge equivalent to a night’s stay at a rate of RM200.00 or RM250.00 as may be the case shall be
charged for any cancellation after the booking has been accepted by the Club.
N.B. – All bookings are subject to availability and priority would be given to the Club’s functions and activities.
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CLUB INFO
CLUBFACILITIES
The Penang Turf Club has several VIP Boxes and
Corporate Boxes for rental.
VIP BOXES
Located at Level 3, New Building
On-course charges: RM1,200 per day (subject to changes)
Package includes: •12 VIP Box Badges
•3 ‘A’ Car Stickers
•3 sets of Car Entry Coupons
•Complimentary Tea, Coffee and
Snacks during tea time
•Complimentary Race Books
Dress code: Gentlemen – Smart casual
Ladies – appropriate equivalent
Off-course charges: RM700 per day (subject to changes)
CORPORATE BOXES
Located at Level 2, O.M. Enclosure & Horseshoe Bistro
Package includes: •12 VIP Box Badges
•3 ‘A’ Car Stickers
•3 sets of Car Entry Coupons
•Complimentary Tea, Coffee and
Snacks during tea time
Dress code: Gentlemen – Smart casual
Ladies – appropriate equivalent
On-course charges: RM950 per day (subject to changes)
Package includes: • 12 Corporate Box Badges
•3 ‘A’ Car Stickers
•3 sets of Car Entry Coupons
•Complimentary Tea, Coffee and
Snacks during tea time
Dress code: Gentlemen – Smart casual
Ladies – appropriate equivalent
Off-course charges: RM700 per day (subject to changes)
Package includes: • 12 Corporate Box Badges
•3 ‘A’ Car Stickers
•3 sets of Car Entry Coupons
•Complimentary Tea, Coffee and
Snacks during tea time
Dress code: Gentlemen – Smart casual
Ladies – appropriate equivalent
*For information and bookings, please contact Ms Jaime Lim.
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PENANG TURF CLUB GOLF SECTION
A 18-hole golf course encompasses the turf club grounds.
(18 holes or part thereof)
THE HORSESHOE BISTRO
Located at Level 2
Open on both on-course and off-course race days including
night racing. Western and local cuisine, wine, spirits and soft
drinks are served here. Admission to Horseshoe Bistro is
strictly for Ordinary Members and their guests, Privilege Card
members and by invitation only.
Tourists can purchase the tourist packages directly from the
Club. Please contact Ms Adeline Khoo / Ms Claflin Chan.
Dress code: Gentlemen – Smart casual
Ladies – appropriate equivalent
WEEKDAYS
Visitors (Walk-in)
RM80 + 5%GT = RM84
Guests of Members
RM60 + 5%GT = RM63
WEEKENDS / PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Visitors (Walk-in)
RM120 + 5%GT = RM126
Guests of Members
RM90 + 5%GT = RM94.50
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CLUB INFO
CLUBFACILITIES
BATU GANTONG EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
Learning to ride for individuals and group can be arranged
through the Centre.
Charges:
8 x 30 mins. private lessons
8 x 45 mins. group lessons
Registration Fee
Lessons are available on:
Thursday - Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Age 4-18 yrs
RM240.00
RM240.00
RM 50.00
Adult
RM320.00
RM320.00
RM100.00
: 7.15 am to 10.15 am
3.15 pm to 6.15 pm
: 7.15 am to 10.15 am
: Rest day
THE MUSEUM
Located on the Ground floor, Old Grandstand Building
(Next to the Racecourse Office and the Paddock)
Open on On-Course Racedays.
Houses antique trophies, cups and valuable artefacts
such as Turf Registers, race programme books, past
issues of magazines, badges, admission tickets and
souvenirs from various overseas clubs.
PENANG TURF CLUB EXECUTIVES
GENERAL MANAGER & SECRETARY
Leow Khin Ming
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
Tan Hock Lim
OPERATIONS ADVISER
Robin Rizal P H Tan
PENANG TURF CLUB RACECOURSE
ASSISTANT CLUB SECRETARY
BATU GANTONG ROAD
10450 PENANG.
Goh Su Yen
P. O. BOX NO. 337
10740 PENANG.
Adeline Khoo Phaik Har
OFFICE TEL
COURSE TEL
FAX
WEBSITE
EMAIL
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:
:
:
:
:
604 - 229 3233 (Hunting Line)
604 - 229 9018
604 - 228 8478
www.penangturfclub.com
[email protected]
ASSISTANT SECRETARY (MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS)
RACING OFFICER
Tham Eng Hock
RIDING INSTRUCTOR
Johari bin Lee
SENIOR VETERINARY SURGEON
Dr Edward Samuel
15TH NATIONAL HORSE SHOW
IN PICTURES
Children with balloons distributed by Penang Turf Club
A fire eater demonstrating his art
Clowns keep the crowd entertained
Young entertainers taking to the stage
Shopping for handicraft at one of the stalls in the bazaar
Getting their hands or faces painted proves popular
with young visitors
Young visitors give a helping hand at the magic show
Young visitors getting up close and personal with the clowns