Passionately called Charlie to friends and colleagues, Read has been an absentee from the Kranji racecourse since June after being diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent treatment.

He is survived by wife Rosie, son Brian and daughter Stephanie. Both son and daughter are in advertising. The funeral is on Saturday.

Born in Penang, Read had his education at St Xaviers’ Institution together with former MRA champion trainer Ivan Allan. The friendship matured into a formidable partnership for more than 20 years.

Said Allan: "Charlie and I have been closely associated since our teenage years. Charlie joined my father as an apprentice and in 1964 when my father passed away, I took over and Charlie was my assistant till I stepped down in 1986 (for two years).

"He was my right hand and my left hand, a very reliable and dependable assistant. We enjoyed some great times together especially when we travelled with JUMBO JET. I have lost a great friend."

Read took out his trainer’s licence in 1986 and quickly made his mark. That year, he won the Singapore Gold Cup with ST GALLEN. He finished the season with 43 winners and was runner-up to Teh Choon Beng.

In 1987, Read lifted his second Gold Cup with FEU VERT and the Sprint Trophy with ST GALLEN.