Even as Stephen Gray penned his farewell to the sprinkling of steadfast owners left at his depleted stable of 15 horses, he still could not fathom how it has all come to this.
Eight years ago, he and wife Bridget were on top of the world basking in the glory of their 2016 Singapore Gold Cup winner Bahana.
Granted, horse trainers or any other sportsperson cannot expect to keep scooping up awards and big races years on end.
But the New Zealand horseman has still managed to stay in rarefied air with four more Group 1 feathers to his cap, received international invitations to UK in the ensuing years, even during the pandemic.
The 59-year-old has weathered many storms, but never saw the mother of them all coming.
When the announcement that racing was ending on Oct 5, 2024 hit Kranji last June, it quickly dawned on him this was a nightmare he could not wake up from.
Like a real skipper, Gray then decided to not abandon ship before it sinks. Not only was he held accountable to his owners and staff, he still clung to a glimmer of hope.
He has held fort for as long as he could. But, much to his chagrin, he had to bail out six months out.
After the Waverley man first landed in Singapore on April 26, 2000, he will saddle his last Kranji runners at the April 27 meeting, almost 24 years to the day.
この記事は The Straits Times の April 02, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は The Straits Times の April 02, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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