3 minute read
A group of 35 enthusiastic Korean students aspiring to join the racing industry paid a visit at Kranji on Wednesday morning.
The delegation from Korea Horsemen High School (KHHS) could not be missed in their blue outfits as they went around visiting trainer Donna Logan's stables and meeting trainers Daniel Meagher, Jerome Tan, James Peters, assistant-trainer Michael White, riding coach Matthew Pumpa, Association of Racehorse Trainers Singapore Operations Manager Debbie Hawkins as well as jockey Wong Chin Chuen and apprentice jockeys Syahir Abdul and Shafrizal Saleh at the canteen for an exchange of ideas.
The group is on an Asian tour, having already been to Hong Kong and Macau and will be heading to Kuala Lumpur next on Thursday.
A vocational college funded by the South Korean government, the KHHS offers this equine course among a wide array of other studies at its campus.
The aim of the tour is to give its students a chance to get an insight in the racing industry from other jurisdictions in the Asian region.
The KHHS actually first visited the Singapore Turf Club on May 15 in order to foster a long-term working relationship with STC in providing exposure for KHHS's students, with Wednesday's visit the first event to kick off the programme.
Logan for one was impressed with the students' receptiveness to the various aspects of stable management that she presented to the group and their six teachers (including an interpreter).
"It was quite a large group of 35 students. They enjoyed the experience immensely for about three-quarter an hour," said the New Zealand trainer.
"Some cuddled up to a horse, who snuggled back at them. One of the staff also demonstrated how to bandage a horse and they really enjoyed watching that.
"Two boys and a girl also took home some old racing plates. They said they'd like to become farriers.
"I personally showed them the different feeds, the diet menus we prepare according to each horse.
"It was great to share our knowledge with them. It was quite rewarding to see them so interested and show a genuine love for horses."
