Hong Kong racing legend Ivan Allan dies at 68

The Club is sad to learn about the passing away of Ivan Allan, one of the most successful trainers in the history of Hong Kong racing.

Paying tribute, the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, said: “I am very sad because he was a very good personal friend and one of the greatest horsemen that I have ever encountered."

Allan was champion trainer on seven occasions on the Malayan Racing Association circuit, comprising Malaysia and his native Singapore, and moved to Hong Kong in 1992 seeking fresh challenges.

He spent 12 glory-laden seasons training in Hong Kong, during which he saddled six Horse of the Year winners. Allan handed in his licence at the end of the 2003/04 season.

During that time he prepared the winners of 544 races and he was champion trainer on three occasions: 1993/94, 95/96 and 96/97.

While he trained in Singapore, Allan won the Hong Kong Invitation Cup with Colonial Chief. He took the QEII Cup and Hong Kong International Vase in 1998 with Oriental Express and Indigenous respectively. He also captured the Hong Kong Mile in 2002 with Olympic Express.

In 2000 he made history when he prepared Fairy King Prawn to become the first Hong Kong horse to win a Gr.1 event overseas in the Yasuda Kinen. 

He won the Hong Kong Derby on three occasions, including Oriental Express, Holy Grail and Olympic Express.

"He was an outstanding horseman who has made invaluable contribution to bringing Hong Kong racing to a world class level. He was a keen advocator of international racing and while based at Sha Tin, his reputation in the big races, particularly international races, was unmatched. On behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family," said Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.