Tan Kah Soon may not be a well-known name on the Singapore racing scene, but there is every chance you will come away suitably impressed after reading the Malaysian’s glowing resume.

First of all, Tan, who officially began training at Kranji on September 1, boasts a racing pedigree. Born in Ipoh in 1980, he is the son of respected former Penang trainer Dr Tan Swee Hock.

And while mucking out boxes at his father’s stables during his Form 5 school holidays may not really count, he soon learned the ropes with the best – and that was when the racing genes really kicked in.



Tan Kah Soon listening to jockey Michael Rodd after his spin aboard the former Sonny Yeoh-trained Himalaya Dragon on Thursday, picture Singapore Turf Club

Dr Tan, of course, was his first role model, but he also came under the tutelage of none other than multiple-champion trainer Teh Choon Beng.

The training bug had by then bitten real hard, but it was not until he finished his tertiary studies at Murdoch University in Perth, reading a bachelor degree in Marketing and Management as well as a Masters in Economics that Tan decided to take the plunge.

If Teh was a revered name on the Malayan Racing Association circuit, Tan was about to join an even more gigantic outfit on the global stage, Godolphin!

In 2002, he was among the first draft of students enrolled in the prestigious Darley Flying Start, now known as Godolphin Flying Start.

While its international students are free to go and work anywhere in the world after they graduate from the two-year course, Tan jumped at the opportunity of staying with Sheikh Mohamed’s behemoth organisation.

“It was an amazing experience. I got selected through an interview and was part of the first batch of the Flying Start,” recalled Tan.

“There were students from all over the world, from France, Japan, Ukraine, USA, Germany. They are not tied down to Godolphin when they decide to join the workforce, but there was a job opening to work for (Godolphin trainer) Saeed bin Suroor, I applied and got it.”

Tan spent seven years with the “Blue Army” from 2005 to 2012. His main task was medical treatment and barrier education, split between Newmarket in summer and Dubai during the wintering months.

“It was a dream come true to work for Godolphin, but it was also a lot of hard work,” he said.

“Ramonti and Poet’s Voice stand out among the horses I worked with, but there were many other good horses, too.

“From April to mid-November, I was based at Newmarket, and would then go to Dubai until the Dubai World Cup carnival in March.

“My main job was medication and barrier education, which I really believe in. To me, if you don’t jump fast, that’s where you win or lose a race.”

Tan, who has one younger brother not involved in racing, eventually returned to his roots in Malaysia, but his mind was set on another racing centre further down South.

“With all due respect to Malaysia, I’ve always wanted to train in Singapore as it’s a bit more competitive,” said Tan.

“An opportunity came up to work with Dr Yeoh Cheng Khye at Kranji, but because of the quota issue, it fell through. I then worked for Dad for two years and won the Perak Gold Vase (2013) and Sprint Trophy (2014) with Joe Czarina.

“In October 2014, I was able to get a job with Sam Chua. He’s a very nice man and I’m very grateful for the opportunity, but unfortunately things didn’t work out for him and five months later I joined David Hill.

“I’m also very grateful to David for the chance to work with him for 2 ½ years. Each trainer has his own method and I had to adapt to each and every one of them.

“Obviously, David is British and came through India before going to Hong Kong. I certainly picked up a few things from him.

“Here in Singapore, we also do a lot of things that are different from England, like the barrier trials whereas there it’s more long work on the training tracks, but the basics remain the same.

“I’ve had many mentors over the years, but first, I have to thank the family, Teh Choon Beng, Sheikh Mohamed, Saeed bin Suroor, his assistant Brian Powell and Mark Johnston where I did a placement of six weeks.”

While the thanksgiving part is necessary for any newbie about to embark into a major venture, the time to shine is always a bit of an uncertainty.

“I’ll take things step by step. I’m here already, so now it’s a matter of getting started and hopefully not make any losses in my first year,” said Tan who will kick off with 16 horses.

“I’m very grateful to Sonny Yeoh for convincing his owners to take a chance on me, including the Yong family, who have also had horses with my dad.

“I also got some horses from David. I won’t be buying new horses for now as, like I said, I don’t want to make a loss for the first year.

“I have not set myself any lofty targets, just take it slow, and we’ll see how things go.”

Tan said he would be using Hill’s apprentice jockey and ruling champion Wong Chin Chuen a fair bit, but also whoever is available.

He did nominate his first horse this Friday, Country Boss, but being the EA1 in Race 6, the $60,000 Class 4 race over 1200m, and with no scratchings by the cut-off time, the Guillotine maiden will unfortunately not be the one to have the distinctive honour of being Tan’s first runner.

“I obviously don’t know the horse (Country Boss). It’s more explorative than anything at this stage,” said Tan.

“From what I’ve seen at his previous races, he tends to be a bit keen. I’ve taken off the blinkers in the morning and let’s hope he can settle better, but it will have to be for another day.

“I will enter more horses next week.”