Singaporean Leck Kai Jin started his career in the racing industry as a Syce on 3 February 2009 at the Singapore Turf Club under the employment of his uncle, trainer Charles Leck and later moved to work in the stables of Trainer David Kok for 6 years.
In August 2016, he moved to Selangor Turf Club and was attached to trainer Charles Leck and continued to work as a Syce. After 8 months in Kuala Lumpur, MRA upgraded his employment as a Track Rider.
Subsequently, MRA granted him with a Stable Supervisor Licence in August 2017. In April 2019, he returned to his former employer David Kok in Singapore Turf Club and performed as a Stable Supervisor. On 8 January 2021 he obtained his B-Grade Trainer Licence.
32 year old Kai Jin became the youngest trainer in the MRA circuit when MRA granted him the A Trainers License in April 2024. He has a total of 15 years of working experience in the racing industry out of which, he worked as an Assistant Trainer for 3 year.
J LECK
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NM SELVAN
EP TAN
Tan Eng Peow started his career in the racing industry as a syce on 20 June 2007 under the employment of trainer SB Tan. He had also worked in similar capacity with trainers Tony Yeoh, KM Noordin, CW Robert, PS Kumaran, V Nathan and Osman Sidek.
On 19 March 2013 he was upgraded to the status of Stable Supervisor by the MRA. On 30 July 2019 whilst still working under trainer M Sukri, he obtained his B-Grade Trainer licence. He continued work with trainer KP Hoy for a period of 2 years. Subsequently, on 12 January 2022 he commenced serving in Trainer MP Thwaites’s stable as his Assistant Trainer until he was granted an “A” Trainer License.
V SIVAN
V Sivan commenced his jockey career in 1982 and rode in MRA Circuit until 2013. He rode away major successes including Perak Derby (three times) , Selangor Tunku Gold Cup (twice), Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Singapore Gold Cup.
He hang up his riding boots in 2013 and became a Senior Track Rider in Trainer Mok Zhan Lun’s stable in April 2015. On 22 March 2016, he was upgraded to the status of Stable Supervisor by the MRA. He was subsequently transferred to Trainer Mohd Sukri in 2017.
He obtained his Assistant Trainer license on 31 July 2018. On 9 July 2019, he commenced serving in Trainer Malcolm Thwaites’s stable as his Assistant Trainer until he was granted an “A” Trainer License. As of to date Sivan has had a total of 29 years of working experience in the racing industry.
Career Highlights:
- Elite Remarkable – Coronation Cup 2022
K ANANTHEN
CC OOI
Ooi Chin Chin began his career in 1992 and had worked as a Track Rider under the employment of Dato Seri Teh Choon Beng. He had also worked in similar capacity with trainers Benny Lim, Vincent Tan, Lim Hoon Hooi, Lee Yong Fatt and Stephen Cook.
On 30 September 2003 he was upgraded to the status of Stable Supervisor by the MRA. He served as a Stable Supervisor to a number of trainers namely Mohd Zafir, Kevin Coetzee and Lim Hoon Seng.
In 2007 whilst still working under trainer Lim Hoon Seng, he obtained his B-Grade Trainer licence. He continued to work as an Assistant Trainer for the next 6 years under various trainers, such as Cecil Robert, Thomas Gillespie and David Miller.
He was granted a Grade A Trainer Licence by MRA in 2014. He reapplied for trainer licence in early 2020 and re-joined the PNTC on 29 June 2020. He subsequently moved his training operation to Selangor in August 2022.
Career Highlights:
Perak Gold Vase – Balotelli (2015)
Selangor Tunku Gold Cup – Balotelli (2015) & Impel (2016)
Woodside Park Stud Sprint Trophy – Good baby (2015)
Perak Coronation Cup- Good Baby (2014)
Malaysia 3YO Championship 2014 (Final) – Black And White (2014)
HY CHENG
Penang-born Cheng Han Yong has always had a love for horses since his school days. His very first encounter with horses was in 2006, at the age of 16, when he became a track rider attached to Cecil Robert.
This was followed by his Apprenticeship with trainer Tan Joo Hock for 3 years, after which he decided to take his next step forward, venturing more into horse racing when he moved to New Zealand in 2009 to work with John Parson who was considered as one of the best trainers in South Island for several years.
When his stint with Parson ended, Cheng went on to work as partnership trainer with Stephen Blair who tutored him with the finer points in horse management and training methods. Eventually, his hard work and perseverance paid off when Cheng managed to obtain a public trainers’ license for the season 2015-2017. During this time he had about 30 horses under his charge and managed to saddle about 20 winners during his nine years stay in New Zealand which he is proud of.
In early 2018, Cheng decided to leave New Zealand and return to his homeland to continue his journey in horse racing. He applied for B trainers’ license and was attached to Penang based trainer, Lim Hoon Seng, for some time before deciding to work with trainer Tan Soo Beng from Selangor.
It was indeed a fulfilling and joyous moment for Cheng when the Malayan Racing Association elevated his status recently with an A license. Cheng added that, the support from his family helped him to pursue his career as a trainer.
To date, HY Cheng, has recorded 178 career wins.
KC TIANG
His passion for horses embarked him on a journey to New Zealand where he was granted a trainer license from 1990 till 1992, he subsequently returned to Malaysia in 1993 and was granted an “A” Trainers license till 2012.
He reapplied for a trainer license in August 2019, which was granted in September 2019 based in Penang. He relocated his training operations to Selangor at the end of 2020.
As of to date Tiang Kim Choi has had a total of 26 years of working experience in the racing industry. He has won numerous Classic races in Malaysia.
Career Highlights:
- Perak Gold Vase 2024 (KONG FU PANDA)
- Piala Emas Sultan Selangor 2005 (OPPOSING FORCE)
- Perak Derby 2005 (OPPOSING FORCE)
- Selangor Gold Cup 2004 (OPPOSING FORCE)
- Piala Emas Sultan Selangor 2000 (SEASIDE BANK)
- Penang Sprint Trophy 2000 (SEASIDE BANK)
- Tiger Beer 3YO Challenge Singapore 1999 (SEASIDE BANK)
AB ABDULLAH
The interest in horse racing began in 1980 for first season trainer AB Abdullah when he became a horse owner but was not to his expectations.
To have a better understanding of horse racing, Abdullah left for Perth, Australia where he learned about horses and stable management under leading trainer Walley Mitchell who had at that time about 150 horses in his yard.
After spending some three years, Abdullah returned to Singapore and set up horse racing management company, Heritage Racing and had about 75 horses under their care and went on to win most of the classic races in the MRA Circuit.
After the sting owning Heritage Racing Stable, Abdullah worked briefly as a stable supervisor with trainer William Chua at Bukit Timah Turf Club.
Then the break came through after six years in the MRA Circuit, Abdullah was seeking new challenges in a new frontier.
Abdullah moved to Bangalore, India in 1996 and set up to train and manage race horses there.
It was a tough battle, however, Abdullah overcame the odds from two horses grew to 80 horses and the stable was crowned the Champion.
“I returned to Singapore once again set up a racehorse management company, but my love is to train horses, said Abdullah in an interview.
However, my love and passion remain in Malaysia and returned and showed the interest to be at the heart of horse racing at Selangor Turf Club.
Abdullah was successful when he applied for a trainer license with The Malayan Racing Association and was then granted 40 stables at Selangor Turf Club to begin with.
Thus a new beginning and Abdullah was quick off the mark when saddled his first career win with Bahar in his debut as a trainer. He went on to saddle his second winner with Royal Explorer. Currently he has about 30 horses in his stable.
Career Highlight:
San Andreas – Tunku Gold Cup 2023
S SIVA
Siva Kumar started his career in the racing industry as a syce in year 1992 under the employment of trainer Bernard Ang Kim Pong. He continued to work as a Syce for the next 20 years under various trainers, such as Donald Baertschiger, Felix Campbell, Philip Corner, Tan Soo Beng and Visuanathan.
In 2012, MRA Committee approved Sivakumar’s appointment as Stable Supervisor in Visuanathan’s stable. In June 2015 whilst working under trainer PS Kumaran, he obtained his B-Grade Trainer licence.
On 17 August 2018, he was granted a Grade A Trainer Licence and officially began training in Selangor Turf Club.