Clements: Kranji trainers’ treatment morally wrong
Outgoing Kranji trainer Michael Clements has refuted suggestions from the Singapore Turf Club that he has retired from the sport and he says the organisation has not reached out to him since his shock decision early last week to close his stable at the end of this month.
The champion trainer, who has been in Singapore for 25 years, will saddle up his final runners in the Lion City at Saturday’s race meeting, 12 months ahead of the industry’s October 5, 2024, shutdown.
Clements took exception to elements of a Turf Club statement, issued to ANZ Bloodstock News on Sunday, about the trainer’s decision to exit the Singapore industry and reiterated his disappointment that there had been little dialogue with impacted stakeholders in the year prior to and since the June 5 bombshell announcement to cease racing in the jurisdiction.
“I have not retired early as stated by the STC; I have chosen to withdraw my support of the STC,” Clements wrote in a statement the trainer provided to ANZ Bloodstock News yesterday.
“I am undecided as to what I will do going forward. As mentioned, I intend taking a few months’ break into the new year to consider my future.
“I am uncertain what the STC means by ‘despite the occasional ups and downs’. At time of writing, being one week after my announcement to withdraw my support of the STC, I have heard nothing from them regarding their stated support for the welfare of my workers and horses.”
In the Turf Club’s statement, released via a public relations firm, it said it regretted Clements’ “decision to retire early” and that he had been “an important member of the local racing community”.
“We have enjoyed the professional working relationship developed over the decades, despite the occasional ups and downs,” the Turf Club statement said.
“A responsible trainer, Mr Clements has expressed his concern for and commitment to ensuring the welfare of all the workers and horses under him, even as he winds up his company. We will support him in this.
“We thank Mr Clements for his invaluable contributions and wish him every success in his next adventure.”
The Turf Club also claimed that it had been engaging with the local racing community to plan for a “smooth cessation of local horseracing” while also indicating that a “multi-million dollar package” would be distributed to help those in the racing industry transition into new areas.
“In response to trainers’ requests, we have conveyed to the trainers our commitment to support the racing community, including a multi-million dollar package to help them and their workers to transition to the next phase of their careers, and to ensure horse welfare and the responsible re-homing of the racehorses,” the Turf Club said.
“It also includes increased rewards and prize-money pool for racing. Also, racing will continue in December 2023, which would have otherwise been a season break. Discussions to finalise the package are on-going.
“Further details will be available after discussions with trainers are completed.”
Although grateful for the opportunities Singapore racing has afforded him during his 25 years in the city, Clements said: “While they knew racing was going to close, they continued to let stakeholders invest in the industry and buy new racehorses overseas.
“They are now drip-feeding owners, trainers, their staff and jockeys to keep racing going until October next year. Owners, trainers, our staff, and jockeys have largely been treated as collateral damage regarding the closure of horseracing.
“I feel the collective of how we have been treated by the STC following the announcement of the closure of horseracing is morally wrong and I, therefore, no longer wish to support the STC any further.”
In the wake of Clements’ decision, it is understood other trainers are also reconsidering their immediate futures in Singapore, as they continue to assess their options since the devastating announcement made by the government and the Turf Club in early June.
The impending exodus of trainers will place increasing pressure on the viability of the local industry up until its intended closure date.
Clements has three horses nominated for Saturday’s Kranji card, his final meeting as a Singapore trainer.
Vittoria Perfetta (Zoustar) and Great Warrior (Sioux Nation) are entered for the Class 4 (1600m) and the Falcon Racing-owned The Shadow (Dissident) is set to contest the Class 5 (1200m).
“The STC are still unable to provide details of the re-training and upskilling of trainers and their staff affected by the closure of horseracing,” said Clements, the president of Singapore’s Association of Racehorse Trainers.
“I have been able to place most of my staff with other trainers. A few of them are retiring and a few of them are looking for work outside of horseracing.
“All of my owners have selected other trainers to continue with the training and racing of their horses. All of their horses will be transferred from my stables to the new trainers’ stables by September 30.”
ANZ Bloodstock News yesterday attempted to contact the Turf Club’s public relations agency but did not receive a response.