Victory Eases Ong Into New KL Set-Up

Moving team wholesale key to champion trainer, even Queiroz will reunite at CNY

- Michael Lee

From being half-hearted about the relocation to Kuala Lumpur at first, Singapore champion trainer Jason Ong is literally feeling at home away from home now.

That first winner – and 230th overall – over the weekend, Pacific Victory at Sungai Besi on Dec 28, has certainly helped wipe away any homesickness blues.

But, looking beyond the geographical location and the different barns, the 36-year-old revealed it was something else that made him feel like he had never left – the live inventory: Horses and staff.

From the 40-odd horses that sealed his second Singapore premiership title at Kranji's farewell 2024 season to the riders, Jerlyn Seow, Koh Teck Huat and syces, Ong was in familiar territory.

For good measure, he will even have his A team at Chinese New Year time at the end of January.

"Bruno Queiroz will ride in Malaysia for the Chinese New Year meeting (Jan 31)," he said.

"He's now back in Brazil. I'm sure he'll enjoy coming up here and will come for more of such short-term visits later on in the year."