Farewell to Ipoh’s finest horse trainer & riding instructor
Uncle Don taught me everything I wanted to know about riding & looking after horses, and more, like how to spot a good or bad rider and those who treat their horses cruelly.
Based in Tambun, on the outskirts of Ipoh, Don was much loved by many people, including the many children in Riding for the Disabled classes.
He was a familiar person to look out for on the racing circuit or on the highways, transporting horses from the north to the south and vice versa, and in fun fairs where he was very popular with the general public.
He also taught children and wives of MBs and royalty, and ordinary folk. His own children are famous in their own right as horse trainers, throughout the equine world of Australia, Hong Kong and England.
He was fiercely independent and very courageous. Neither cobras (anyone living near stables would know) nor gangsters (of which there were several in the betting industry) scared him. Yes, they could be nasty, but he knew how to handle them.
His favourite snacks were mintoes, lollipops and whenever his riders or friends returned from overseas, would bring packs & packs of mintoes for Don. He had an incredibly sweet tooth but he was ever so slim and fit. He worked hard, drove his horses hard and partied well. When everyone around him was blotto, he was only just warming up. His recollections of all the secrets of the high and mighty who learnt to ride under him are legendary.
Farewell Uncle Don. He was my best friend. There will never be another like him.
xxx
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