NEW BOSS TAKES OVER CITY GOLD STABLE HORSES

Hong Kong outfit sell 6 runners, who will all stay with trainer Kok till Spore racing’s end

- Michael Lee

A large group of horses have changed hands within the David Kok yard, but it is business as usual, nonetheless.

The City Gold Stable has sold all their six horses to the Phan Three Three Stable, better known for their "Boss" horses such as Hey Boss and Boss Heng Heng.

They have, however, still kept one horse with trainer Steven Burridge, City Gold Farewell.

The Hong Kong outfit entered the Singapore racing market with lofty plans in 2023, investing in both tried horses and yearlings, all coming under Kok's care.

City Gold Star (four wins) and City Gold Forward (two wins) were among their most successful wards to shine in their all-yellow colours.

Bolstered by their haul of eight winners at their inaugural season, they pledged even more support to Kok, but the news of the 2024 closure threw a spanner in the works.

"It's a real shame the City Gold Stable is leaving. They were keen on Singapore racing, and had even bought more yearlings for me," said Kok who sits third on the log on 23 winners, and is enjoying one of his best seasons in 16 years of training.

"But when they found out racing was closing down in October 2024, like everybody else, they weren't quite sure what to do next.