Jointly developed with the Standards, Productivity & Innovation Board, Singapore (SPRING), the Academy will offer courses on horsemanship taught in accordance with the skills standards developed under the National Skills Standards Recognition System (NSRS).

Speaking at the launch, Yu Pang Fey, President and Chief Executive of the SLTC, said the launch of STAR marks another important chapter in the development of the racing industry in Singapore.

"To be a world class racing centre, we must strive for excellence at every level, from Syces to Assistant Trainers. Only then are we able to take Singapore racing forward. To meet the many challenges ahead, it is imperative that the Singapore racing industry develops a well-trained, knowledgeable and professional workforce.

"STAR will offer courses on horsemanship in a variety of professions, ranging from Assistant Trainers to Riders to Syces, and from basic to intermediate skill levels. Trainees will be taught both theory as well as practical knowledge. We will be training the future stars of horse racing; in other words, the future Saimees and Malcolm Thwaites. We will also be upgrading the skills of existing stable employees, thereby providing them every opportunity to maximise their potential. Over the next five years, it is anticipated that STAR will be training about 700 people.

"For those keen on pursuing an exciting career in racing, there is no better time than the present. To help us achieve our vision in this area, the Club is delighted to work closely with the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board, also known as SPRING Singapore; the Association of Racehorse Trainers in Singapore, the Australian Racing Institute as well as the Equestrian Federation of Singapore," Mr Yu said.

A Racing Development Fund has been set up to help fund STAR training programmes. Contributions to the Racing Development Fund will consist of 5% of the prizemoney of all Feature races staged by the SLTC from tomorrow onwards.

The terms and conditions of the scheme are as follows:

1. The incentive of S$5,000 will be payable to the owners of the first 160 horses imported into Singapore (excluding horses from Malaysia) between the period 1 October 2002 and 31 March 2003. Horses imported must satisfy MRA criteria for registration of horses.The horses must have both fore hooves, fetlocks and knees radiographed at the time of their veterinary examination prior to export;In addition, the examining veterinarian may radiograph the hind limbs, both hocks and stifles, if required.

2. Horses imported under the Scheme must remain based in Singapore for a minimum period of two years from the date of importation, failing which the owners who receive the incentive payment under the Scheme will be liable to refund the Club the incentive paid;

3. In the event that there is a change of ownership of any horse imported under the Scheme within the two year period, and the subsequent owner(s) transfers the horse to a trainer outside of Singapore within the two year period, the original owner who received the incentive payment under the Scheme will be liable to refund the Club the S$5,000 incentive paid;

4. Applications for the Scheme must be made by the owner through a Singapore-based trainer upon arrival of the horse in Singapore. The Application must be made in the form at Annex A. All owners who apply for the scheme will be informed in writing by the Club on whether their applications have been successful;

5. The incentive payment of S$5,000 per horse will be paid to the owner(s) upon the horses’ first start in a race. Horses imported under the Scheme which do not start in any race by 1 October 2003 will not be eligible for the incentive payment unless otherwise decided by the Club; and