Racegoers knew that My Boss was trainer Young Keah Yong’s sole runner last Sunday, but not many knew that he was also his last runner.
The 45-year-old Singaporean has relinquished his trainer’s licence, effective from May 31 but has already ceased operations.
Although Young had no top-notch horses in his yard, he was still recognised as a competent horseman, with the likes of My Dreamliner and Wild Bee (six wins apiece).
Young cited the precarious financial situation his training business has come to in the last two years for calling it quits – but the going was not tough all the time.
After a sluggish start at his rookie year in 2017 (no wins in 50 starters), he gained full momentum the following year – the best of all his seven seasons – with 35 wins and a creditable 12th spot on the trainers’ log.
But the last couple of years have been a tough slog for Desmond Koh’s former assistant trainer, especially when Covid-19 struck in 2020.
Passion kept him going, but an alarming drop in owners’ support led to many empty boxes at his stable block 107A.
Left with only five horses, Young had no other choice but to hang up his binoculars.
Even if the recent years have not been pain-free, he still looks back at his journey with great fondness.
“I’m very thankful for the chance the Singapore Turf Club gave me to fulfil my dream,” said the 45-year-old conditioner to The Straits Times.
“I’ve wanted to be a trainer since I was a teenager. I’m very appreciative for my seven years as a trainer.
“I’d like to thank the Club, my family, staff, jockey Benny Woodworth, (owner) Mr Wong Wei Choy from Kuala Lumpur for all their support.
“I also thank my other owners. Their horses are going to Mahadi Taib, whom they know already.
“I’ve been trying very hard to keep it going because I love this game. It’s my passion.
“But in the last two years, I’ve been struggling. After discussing with my family, I was left with no other choice but to call it a day.
“It was hard to get owners. I used to have 50 horses on my books, like in 2018. After Covid-19, many owners gave up.
“Owners used to come to me, but now we have to beg them. I, for one, don’t like to beg owners. Also, the drop to one race day a week has also made it harder for us.
“For a trainer to sustain, he has to make a lot of sacrifices and shoulder the burden. At the end of the day, racing is like any business.
“But it hasn’t been a feasible business model in the last two years. It wasn’t worth putting in that kind of effort anymore.”
Young has been busy vacating his stable block earlier this week and his remaining gallopers have been transferred to other trainers like Mahadi, David Kok, Jerome Tan and Jason Ong.
All-up, he bowed out a winner of 98 races from 1489 runners. Yet the good news is, even as Young’s training chapter comes to a close, he will still be sticking around in another capacity.
“I’ll apply for a B-trainer’s licence and join Jerome. He is expanding his stable and I will look more into the marketing and PR side of the business,” said Young who became involved in horse racing after he joined ex-Kranji trainer Charles Leck as a syce 22 years ago.
“Meanwhile, I’ve also invested in my brother’s food trading business.
“I know I was on 98 winners. I did think I would wait until I get 100 winners before I stop. But, at the end of the day, it’s a business. I couldn’t wait any longer, it was time to go.
“Who knows, things can improve one day and I may come back – and go for the 100th win then.”
By Sharon Zhang, Singapore Turf Club
