Racing: Logan heading to Singapore

Donna Logan is heading to Singapore after being licensed by the Malayan Racing Association to train. Photo / Supplied

Ruakaka horse trainer Donna Logan is taking the next step in a celebrated career as she heads to a new challenge in Singapore.

Logan has had incredible success since training her first winner in 1987 with Silver Kris. In the 30 years since, she has over 850 wins to her name which includes eight individual Group 1 winners.

She has been licensed by the Malayan Racing Association to train in Singapore where she has been granted 36 boxes at Kranji.

Whangarei Racing Club General Manager Bill Colgan said this is a huge accomplishment by Logan.

"The achievement by Donna is a major milestone and reflects very positively on the Northland region. It is expected that there will be a very strong inter-relationship between the early training and racing preparation of horses at the Logan Ruakaka base with the Singapore stable," he said.

"In addition Donna will be a great ambassador for Northland as a region not only for the training of horses to race in Singapore but for tourist promotions and visitations to the region.

"With the training partnerships with her late husband Dean, and now with Chris Gibbs, they have created the status of the Ruakaka track/beach for training and producing quality race horses that can compete with the best in New Zealand and Australia.

"The name Logan is synonymous with racing in Northland and it is expected that will be taken to even greater heights now as local horses win here and then are taken to the Singapore stables to compete with Asia's best horses."

Volkstok'n'barrell has been her most prolific with success in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m), New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m).

Logan currently trains in partnership with Chris Gibbs, who will be taking sole charge of the Ruakaka operation once Logan makes her move.

Colgan said she joins a select few overseas trainers in the Southeast Asian country.

"There are very limited opportunities for NZ based trainers to be approved to train in Singapore. Once approved, the trainers have remained in Singapore for many years," he said.

"Singapore is part of the Malaysian Racing Association and all trainers need to be licenced by that authority. With under 100 race meetings a year in Singapore the number of trainers licences approved is very limited, with currently only 27 trainers approved with stables at the racecourse.

"The racecourse is the only location for stabling and training in Singapore. The number of overseas licensed trainers is very small with three from New Zealand, five from Australia, two English trainers and two South Africans."