Trainer Jason Lim has decided to give his training career a second go.
The 43-year-old Singaporean, who received his new trainer's licence from the Malayan Racing Association (MRA) a few days ago, has been granted stabling facilities at Selangor Turf Club, where he will commence operations with a team of 17 horses.
An avid racing fan since young, Lim is no stranger to the racing industry, having worked from the ground up before kick-starting his training career at Kranji in April 2019.
It was, however, brought to a halt in July 2023 after an 18-month disqualification.
Lim left racing after that and took on a new role – manager in a chemical company – in the corporate world. But he did not cut ties entirely, especially with owners whom he bonded back in Singapore.
They were the main reason Lim chose to make his comeback after 26 months.
"Even after I left back then, they (owners) still called me and asked me 'why not go to KL?'," he said.
"They also asked me to help them buy horses. I did feel a bit lost during those two years when I was working outside, but I came back mainly because there are owners who still want to support me.
"It was only about June or so that I decided to come back, so I applied for my trainer's licence from MRA in July and received it a few days ago."
Lim was sitting on top of the Singapore trainers' premiership before his departure.
He was known for saddling Super Salute – now under the care of trainer Sivan Veerapen – to seven consecutive wins at Kranji, including the 2023 Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1,400m) and the 2023 Group 3 Silver Bowl (1,400m).
But, good or bad, he would not live in the past, and is ready to start afresh with his new base in Kuala Lumpur.
"What's in the past, I've put it behind me already. I'm not one who keeps looking backwards," said Lim, who has a nine-year-old son Alexander with his wife, Ivy Low.
"I want to thank Selangor Turf Club (SLTC) for giving me the chance to train here. I was here at the races 10 years ago, but SLTC has now improved a lot in terms of stakes money and infrastructure. That's good for the owners.
"The stable is up and running, and I have about seven or eight staff now, including syces and track riders. I will focus on the races in KL first."
Lim will field a team of six at the 12-race meeting at Sungai Besi on Oct 5, including King Of Sixty-One in the highlight race, the Supreme B contest (1,600m) and Grand Supreme in the Class 5A race (1,020m).
Both former Singapore gallopers have yet to open their account in Malaysia.
But, judging by Grand Supreme's last-start third in a similar race for trainer Abdullah Aboo Bakker on Sept 21, Lim is hopeful the son of Divine Prophet can hit the ground running for him.
"Grand Supreme came to me in good condition. He finished third last time, so I think he can run well," said Lim, who now trains mostly for the AJ's Stable and the India Horse Club.
"He is owned by my long-time supporter and Singaporean owner, Mr Aw Soon Kuan. He also owned Boy Xander, who raced in my colours at Kranji last time.
"Racing is where my first job was in after all, and it's nice to do it again.
"I'll go through the grind, and take care of my horses and make the business profitable for my owners."
Boy Xander is now trained by Winson Cheng Han Yong and owned by the Legacy Power Racing Stable.
