Milnerton based Joey Ramsden is one of three trainers to have been allocated boxes by the Singapore Turf Club.
Singaporean Jason Lim and Aussie Tim Fitzsimmon are the other two.
Joey Ramsden – saddled the top two
The Singapore Turf Club reports that the British-born Joey Ramsden, 50, has plied his trade with great success in South Africa in the last 24 years.
After learning his craft in Kentucky and former trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith in Sydney, Australia, he moved back home to work for the late Michael Roberts and Vaughan Marshall, returned to UK in 1994 to train for his parents at Southwell, saddling around 16 winners before permanently returning to South Africa as a trainer in his own right in 1995.
Ramsden was quick to establish himself among the leading trainers on the South African log, especially in Cape Town where he is based at Milnerton. He is also regularly featured at the winner’s circles in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
He was crowned Cape champion trainer four times, with a third place his highest finish on the national log. He has won all-up more than 1,750 races, including 26 at Gr1 level with top South African horses such as two-time South African Horse of the Year Variety Club, Attenborough, Just Sensual, Winter Solstice, Red Ray and The Conglomerate with whom he won the Durban July Handicap in 2016.
Ramsden also has 35 Gr2 winners, 56 Group 3 winners as well as 62 Listed winners to his name.
Overseas, Ramsden also made his mark with Variety Club’s all-the-way win in the 2014 Group 2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan in Dubai.
In an open letter to clients, Ramsden put the Singapore offer in perspective.
Today there has been some media released by the Singapore Turf Club that I was hoping I would have more time to discuss with my family, friends and clients, many of whom have become close friends.
I have provisionally accepted boxes at the Singapore Turf Club but as of yet I have not signed anything or been given an official licence or working visa.
It’s a very exciting opportunity that when it came up I was naturally obliged to look further into as I have dire concerns about the future of Cape Racing, and racing in this country in general.
I can only apologise that this news has come out in this fashion, it was not my intention nor my desire. I wanted to have time to speak with everyone concerned, especially my family and I can only apologise profusely to everyone that this news may affect.
As far as I’m concerned until I go to Singapore and discuss things further with the Singapore Turf Club it’s business as usual at Goodhope Racing.
I’ve no doubt there will be a lot of questions and speculation and I will answer what I can, when I can.
But please be rest assured your horses in my care at present are my top priority.
I’m looking forward to the future, whatever direction it may take.
Yours,
Joey Ramsden
