Singapore Almost Signed Off

The win of Elliot Ness on Saturday at Kranji was bittersweet - while we are so proud to celebrate another winner for the team - it again highlights the demise of the Singapore Turf Club.

Late last year, the Singapore government decided that the Singapore Turf Club land would be returned to the state, ending the long and proud history of thoroughbred racing in the nation.

The Singapore Turf Club commenced racing on 4 October 1842 and on 5 October 2024, it ends forever.  It's been a hugely emotional and difficult time for our team - Te Akau trainer Donna and our loyal staff as we have had to farewell our horses one by one - dispersal timings governed by the Club.  

We are humbled and proud to say we have found safe, forever homes for them all but what a tragic end to a proud chapter in global racing .... so we salute potentially one of our last winners with only two racer meetings now to come. 

From the days when our stable always had the maximum 60 horses permitted, to the nine we have today due to the export requirements ...

Written Tycoon gelding Elliot Ness treated his opposition with disdain on Saturday - in the hands of former Champion Singapore Jockey Manuel Nunes, he romped home in fine fashion, recording a five length victory.

Lining up in the S$50,000 Class  1100m, the seven year old shot out of the gates from his wide draw to position second on the shoulder of the leader. Turning for home, he levelled up, coasting past the front runner, his scintillating turn of foot seeing him demolish his opposition.

It was a particularly inspired effort as Elliot Ness had been off the scene for six months due to knee surgery - so it was a massive effort by the horse and the team to see him win in such definite fashion.

Raced by Fortuna Racing (Mgr: John Galvin) Elliot Ness has now won five times, with 19 placings from 30 Singapore starts - winning almost S$220,000 for his owners.