Horse Racing Singapore and Malaysia

Your instructor will be a key part of your life as a horse owner. He or she will teach you the basics and will influence the way you interact with horses forever. You will learn your teacher’s habits, biases, strengths, and weaknesses.

You will adopt his or her best traits and will inadvertently mimic his or her worst weaknesses.

You can, and may, involve yourself with multiple instructors as you learn more about horses and riding. However, your first teacher will always have an impact on you.

Choosing the right instructor is, thus, very important.

Making a wise choice isn’t just important in that sense, though. It is also a big part of determining how enjoyable your horse ownership experience will be.

You will be spending a great deal of time with your teacher, and if you don’t match well with him or her, it can only serve to lengthen your learning curve and to make your time with your horse less enjoyable.

If you can find a tremendous instructor, you will learn more than you ever imagined you could in a short period. You won’t become an Olympic equestrian event qualifier overnight, but you will make great strides quickly. In addition, you will do it with a smile on your face.

Let’s look at some considerations in finding the best possible instructor.

Once you’ve selected a stable, it will be time to start learning. That will involve spending time in the barns watching and paying close attention to how the horses are treated and what goes into the care of a horse.

It’s also an opportunity to ask questions of experts and to “pick their brains” to increase your own knowledge base.

This kind of real-world study is irreplaceable. Even the best texts on horse ownership or riding can’t give you the same feel and understanding, as will personal observation and involvement.

In addition to spending time in the barns, you will need to learn how to ride a horse. You will want to master basic techniques like walking, cantering and trotting. You will want to develop a strong sense of comfort while in the saddle.

Some experts will tell you to spend at least a year attending the stables and learning the basics before even considering the purchase of your own horse. That’s sound advice.

Here are a few of the reasons why it makes sense to transition into actual horse ownership slowly.

Making a wise investment. The notion that you might learn that you don’t really care for horses or riding may seem downright silly, but it is a possibility.

Many horse owners have jumped in with both feet, certain they would forever be interested and attracted to ownership, only to find that their interest waned as the novelty wore off.

Many of us have romantic ideas about what horse ownership is all about and, occasionally, the nitty-gritty of dealing with the animals changes our thinking. Spending time learning and frequenting the stable before purchasing a horse can prevent you from making a bad decision.

Directing your purchase. By spending time at the stable without a horse of your own, you will have the opportunity to observe and assess a variety of different horses. Chances are that you will develop and understanding of what type of horse will best meet your needs.

Buying “blindly” right from the beginning may result in a poor decision.

Avoiding surprises. Those who buy a horse right after selecting a stable may be ill equipped to deal with the long list of subsequent decisions.

By spending time learning, you will know what kind of tack and additional equipment you will need in order to make the ownership experience work.

You’ll have a stronger idea of time commitments and necessary scheduling, too. Put simply, you’ll be much better informed, and that will make owning a horse of your very own far more rewarding and a lot less stressful.

Stable assessment. After spending time seeking out advice and recommendations from others and then visiting a series of stables, you will probably make an outstanding decision.

However, you are new to the horse world and it is possible that your judgment wasn’t quite perfect.

Taking it slow gives you a chance to take the stable for a “test drive.” If it turns out that the situation isn’t matching your needs, you will have the chance to try a different operation without all of the hassles of doing so while in the process of working with your new horse.

Instruction assessment. By spending time at the stables before purchasing your horse, you will have the opportunity to assess instructors and their techniques.

You will also be able to look for a different instructor if the one at the stable you have chosen just doesn’t work for you.
You will be spending a great deal of time, energy and money on learning about your horse and how to care for it.

Having the right teaching makes all of the difference in the world. It’s so important, in fact, that we will be looking at the topic in depth in the next chapter of this guide.

As you tour stables, don’t be nervous about making inquiries. There is no such thing as a stupid question, and even if your queries do sound as though they are coming from a real greenhorn, you can still learn a great deal about the nature of a stable and its staff by the kinds of answers you receive.

Remember, you are interviewing these stables. You want to make the best possible decision. That means you will need to understand what it done there and why.

You will also want to spend your time with instructors and stable personnel who are friendly and competent. Asking questions is a great way to establish whether those two important traits are present.

Don’t approach the stables as if you are a tourist. Although you may be very curious and excited about your impending horse ownership, you must approach these trips like a prospective employer interviewing job applicants.

Don’t be afraid to assert yourself and to pay close attention to important details.

What details should you be noticing? There are several things to consider as you visit each stable. If you don’t feel as though you will remember all of the important considerations in choosing a stable, you may want to bring a notepad with you on each “inspection.”

Here are some critical considerations to keep in mind when checking out the recommended stables on your list.

Cleanliness. A clean, organized property is evidence of a commitment to quality care. Although there may be great stables that look a little “rustic,” even those that lack “bells and whistles” should be neat.

Stay away from stables that don’t look well tended.

State of repair. Notice the various structures, fences and other physical aspects of the stable. Are they in good repair? A serious stable will be firmly committed to keeping their operation in tip-top running order.

If buildings appear dilapidated, fences are sagging or other obvious problems exist, you may want to consider the next stable on your list.

Water. There should be a ready supply of clean water available to horses both in paddocks and their stalls. Like all animals, horses need water for both survival and comfort.

If a stable doesn’t seem to have water at the ready for all of its equine guests, it may be a sign of trouble.

Horse health. You are a first-time horse buyer, not a professional veterinarian. Thus, you aren’t expected to perform full physicals on the horses you see.

However, you should look for signs of overall health. Do the horses have nice shiny coats? Do their eyes seem soft and focused? Do they appear to be well fed?

If the horses at the stable look less than healthy, there may be a serious problem afoot.

Horse disposition. Obviously, at this stage of the game, you are not a horse expert. However, you should be able to get a sense of whether the stabled horses look happy. Horses should appear to be relaxed.

Look to see if their ears are pointed forward (a good sign) and that their tail isn’t rigid.

If something seems “wrong” about the disposition of the animals, you should probably trust your guts and look elsewhere.

Employee disposition. The best stables have happy horses and happy staff members. Remember, you will be spending a great deal of time at the stable with your horse and an important part of your experience there will involve your interaction with the stable staff. Make sure to note how you feel about the people you meet at the stable. It is important to select an outfit with whom you can get along.

Student disposition. The horses should be happy. The stable personnel should be happy. The students should be happy, too! If the folks at the stable don’t appear to be having a good time, think twice about the facility.

This is where you will be going, and you certainly want to enjoy yourself, right?
Student/staff interaction. Observe lessons and how instructors are conducting lessons. The stable will be your “horse college,” so you want to make sure you will be attending classes with “professors” you’ll enjoy and from whom you are likely to learn.

If you aren’t comfortable with the attitudes or teaching strategies, avoid the stable. It is possible to find instructors who make learning the ins and outs of horse ownership and riding fun.

Safety. Make a point to notice whether it appears as if the stables are safe for the horse owners. Notice whether riders are dressed appropriately and are wearing protective helmets or hard hats.

Also, look at the tack and equipment used. Does it appears to be in good shape and treated with respect? If it looks as though the stable is playing fast and loose with safety, it probably isn’t the best place for any horse owner-especially a first-timer.

Long before you start the process of choosing your very first horse, it is important to deal with some critical preliminary concerns. One of the most important is finding an appropriate stable that offers quality instruction.

As a new horse owner, you will have a great deal to learn.

Although asking others and reading helpful information will supply you with much of what you need to know, there is no replacement for quality hands-on instruction from a professional.

That’s why choosing a good stable is so important-the stable will become the locus of your horse experience. It will be where you learn how to actually deal with and interact with your horse.

Finding a great instructor is equally important.

In fact, the next part of this guide will address that subject in greater detail.

You could pull out your trusty copy of the yellow pages and begin making a list of area stables to investigate.

That approach will supply you with numerous options and, with a little work, you might just find the right spot to get acquainted with your new horse. However, there is a more efficient and productive way to find a quality stable.

Start by asking people who are directly involved with horses and who have a great deal of personal experience.

Consulting with knowledgeable individuals should give you an assortment of quality leads upon which you can then follow up.

Who should you ask? There are many different options.

Some great potential resources for direction include:

Veterinarians specializing in the care of horses.
Top local horse doctors will have a great idea of which stables one should consider and may be able to give you an idea of which outfits to avoid.

They see horses that have spent time at a number of different stables and should be able to provide some unique insight.

Local tack and feed stores.
If you want to find out about the best stables, why not go to the same places other horse owners and stable operators go? By asking the management and informed personnel at horse-related stores, you should be able to find out which stables get high marks from those with a vested interest in healthy and happy horses.

Horse clubs.
Many communities boast a number of equestrian clubs. Members of these organizations are dedicated to quality animal care and are excited about bringing new horse enthusiasts into the fold.

You can get some great stable recommendations and you just might find a community of like-minded people with whom you can share your new hobby.

After generating a list of promising area stables, it will be time to let your fingers do the walking. You will need to call each of the stables and arrange a visit.

Recommendations are great, but nothing can replace a personal, on-site visit.

You may be interested in adding a horse to your life. You might be attracted to the romance of horse ownership and experiencing an age-old tradition.

You may be a naturalist, a dyed-in-the-wool animal lover, or just feel some sort of inexplicable connection with horses that makes you feel as though you are the kind of person who should be a horse owner.

No matter what your motivations are, the first thing you should do before considering horse ownership is to take a close look at yourself, your life and your objectives to make sure horse ownership is a fitting decision for you.

You should reflect upon a number of different considerations before starting down the path to horse ownership. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before making the decision.

Consider them carefully, answer them honestly, and use the insights you glean to make a wise determination of your suitability for horse ownership.

Why are you interested in owning a horse? That might seem like a simple question, but a bit of reflection should give you a good idea of whether your interest is based on core sentiments and deeply held feelings or more shallow reasoning or whim.

Horse ownership involves a great deal of effort and responsibilities. Your motivations should be strong.

Do you need to own a horse to meet your objectives? Think about what you want to achieve from the experience of horse ownership and decide whether you need to have your own horse to meet those ends.

Would it be possible to occasionally ride at a stable or elsewhere to capture the experience you are after? Alternatively, is owning and caring for your own horse important to you?

Will you make time for your horse? We all live hectic, fast-paced life. For many of us, the rapid clip of modern life is one of the reasons we seek relief by revisiting older ways of doing things and traditional experiences like horse riding.

However, not all of us are ready to carve out the time necessary to be a horse owner. Are you prepared to spend time with your horse and on the various activities associated with horse ownership?

Where would your horse go? Is your property suitable for a horse? If not, are you prepared to make the necessary arrangements so it would be? Alternatively, if you are planning to stable a horse are realistic options located within a reasonable distance from your home?

You don’t need to have definitive answers to all of those questions, but they should give you a good idea of some of the things you will need to confront as a horse owner.

Is a horse financially realistic? This guide operates on the presupposition that anyone pursuing horse ownership should be sure they have the financial means necessary to properly care for a horse and that they should be capable of meeting necessary expenses without feeling tempted to cut corners or to compromise the quality of care provided to a horse.

The guide does include a chapter on budgeting for a horse that will give you a better idea of your financial obligations.

For now, concentrate on whether you feel as though you are already in a financial crunch or if you do have room to add a horse and the expenses associated with it to your budget in a more general sense.

The answers to those questions should give you a good idea of your suitability as a horse owner.

If you have some questions about whether or not you are the right person for a horse, don’t surrender the idea immediately.

Instead, consider the matter as you continue reading and revisit your sentiments as you learn more about horse ownership.

Here are some of my own value pick for today … take a look. As you always noted, I don’t focus on picking favourite unless I think they can win again.

Race 1 - blur … i skip.

Race 2 - Royal Bay. After so many runs, I think right now, should be fit enough to fire. Although bad barrier, “A” course should be ok. Outsider is Magic Eight.

Race 3 - I fancy Gem Arc. This young horse got a lot of capability. Hopefully the body weight will increase a bit. Outsider Victory Star

Race 4 - Looks like Special Time. The field not that strong compared to the previous one.

Race 5 - Tough race … i skip.

Race 6 - Lim XClusive and Astonish got my vote.

Race 7 - Northwind. Outsider Lim’s Hunter

Race 8 - Crusoe … bang in form. Outsider Super Racer.

Race 9 - Our Falstaff

Race 10 - Don Giorgo

Race 11 - Superb Star

There is nothing more pleasing and a sign of a maturing racing community when you watch the rising number of apprentices that are showing tremendous ability and are being given opportunities commensurate with that ability.

For many years in Asia it has lagged behind the rest of the world in the opportunities given to its apprentices – particularly in Hong Kong where a mix of some of the world’s most competent riders ply their trade and where many owners are fearless and bets in the tens of thousands on their horses are commonplace.

This has led to all erring on the side of the caution and opting to put the leading riders on their horses. But the trend in Hong Kong is being broken big time and in recent months the emergence of jockeys like Terry Yeung, Frankie Tsui, Wei Leung, Terry Wong and Jackie Tong augurs very well for the future of their domestic riding ranks.

Add these boys to the existing smart apprentices of Howard Cheng (who has outridden his claim), Eddie Lai and others and the riding ranks in Hong Kong are going to need less and less international riders as the years progress.

* * * * *

Kiwi jockey Shane Dye continued his climb back to a successful career in Hongkers when he won on First Among Equals at yesterday’s Shatin meeting at his third meeting back from the horror fall that nearly claimed his life at Shatin only four months back.

The win of First Among Equals continued the amazing run of the Casper Fownes stable in the first few weeks of the season that has seen the trainer in the winner’s circle already more than 10 times.

South African Douglas Whyte and Frenchman Eric St Martin shared riding honours at the meeting with a double a piece.

* * * * *

South Australian jockey Scott Leckey combined with Victorian trainer Jim Nikolic (brother of successful jockey Danny) to win with Never Give Up at Selangor (Malaysia) yesterday.

Leckey who began his career in Darwin before moving on to Adelaide is a very competent rider and a stint in Asia will only add to his experience.

Local jockeys Din Azis and I. Saifuddin kept their from from Friday night at Kranji in Singapore where both rode winners. Azis one and Saifuddin rode a double.

They both rode another winner each at Selangor yesterday.

* * * *

There slim pickings for downunder competitors at the Kranji meeting on Friday night with Aussie trainer John Meagher winning a race with Lim’s Charge (I. Saifuddin) and Kiwi trainer Laurie Laxon winning with Cruso with Aussie jockey Luke Currie in the saddle.

Kiwi jockey Marc Du Plessis teamed with South African trainer Patrick Shaw to land a double at the meeting – taking the last two races with King’s Command and Lucky Lino.

* * * *

It seems highly likely that Australian Racing authorities are going to grant Keiran Fallon a license to ride here so he can ride Yeats in the Melbourne Cup.

The on/off/on again trip of the British super stayer has seen some speculation as to who would ride the Aiden O’Brien trained stayer – and many felt that Mick Kinnane, already a Melbourne Cup winner on Vintage Crop and who rode Yeats to win the Goodwood Cup in England this year after Fallon was barred from riding in the UK – would take the mount.

However, as I believe it should be, Fallon is likely to be able to ride here as he has not yet been found guilty of any offences only charged and until the time he is found guilty he cannot be condemned.

The stewards have followed that path in Australia with our own international jockey Chris Munce who is facing court on similar shenanigans in Hong Kong but he has been granted a license to ride in Australia on the condition that he continues to attend the trial hearings in Hong Kong and his license will be revoked if he fails to do so and if he is found guilty of any offence in Hong Kong it will be similarly binding here.

* * * *

Aussie jockey Kerrin McEvoy who is about to return home for the Spring Carnival where among his rides will be the Godolphin stayer Imperial Stride in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, had a bleak day at York yesterday, failing to ride a winner and being beaten on three favourites.

His week was not a total loss as on Friday he won on the 8/1 chance Scriptwriter for Godolphin at York and on Wednesday he landed Navaho Squaw a winner at Nottingham.

Kerrin has had another great season landing 71 winners to date from his 434 rides and this includes another Gr 1 under his belt.

His stats for Godolphin – considering he is their number two rider are outstanding having ridden 15 winners for the stable from just 46 rides.

On the one pound straight on every ride “stat” that the Racing Post conducts punters would be 132 pounds in front on Kerrin for the season to date.

* * * *

The feast of Gr 1 races in Australia provided no fairytales and with the exception of Teranaba in the Spring Championship Stakes there were no surprises. They did however stamp some horses as truly outstanding as Racing To Win’s victory in the Espom at Randwick – the first horse to start odds on in the history of the race – over 130 years – was simply sensational in a race not really run to suit him.

The Al Maktoum family’s Tawqeet was impressive in winning the Metropolitan and is now certain to be among the favourites for the Melbourne Cup – the race he was sent to Australia to aim at.

Zipping ran a cracking Caulfield Cup trial when fourth to Sphenophyta in the Turnbull Stakes in Melbourne and the supporting races also unearthed some future Gr 1 winners.

Bentley Biscuit was outstanding first up in The Shorts and has now won 9 of his 12 starts and he will take some halting in the Gr 1 Emorates Stakes on the last day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Reigning To Win – owned in the same interests as Racing To Win is also right on target to win a Gr 1 over the Melbourne Carnival – probably the Ascot Vale Stakes and Fast N’Famous stamped himself as Australia’s next Takeover Target when that sprinter retires with a great win in the Gilgai against all the odds.

Contributed by Gary Knight

Busy week and tiring … so I did not post my selection.

Here are some of my personal watch list for Sunday.

Race 2 - 7
Race 4 - 3
Race 6 - 7
Race 9 - 6

Crazy horse ? Which stable it belongs to ? Who will be training the crazy horse ?

Nope … it is not the real horse but just a name of the show.

I read about this from Singapore Buzz newsletter.

Here is the snipped from the newsletter.

Crazy Horse Paris
3B River Valley Road, #01-01, Clarke Quay
Witness the 100-minute spectacle that is the most beautiful artistic nude show in the world.

Check this out http://www.crazyhorseparis.com.sg/

Anybody watch it before ?