SINGAPORE,  25 Nov 2009 

The Singapore Turf Club has informed trainer Lionel Lee that the stable lease agreement between the Club and him will be discontinued after Dec 31, effectively ending the career of the former journalist and stipendiary steward.

Lee has not enjoyed much success of late, having saddled just three winners last year and one winner this season.

Lee was granted his licence in 2006 and had a solitary win that year. He did well in 2007 when he saddled 10 winners but has not been able to build on from there.

Also quitting the Singapore scene after next month will be Susumu Nigishi who also began his Singapore career in 2006. The Japanese trainer has saddled just six winners during his time at Kranji.

Filling their places will be South Africans Basil Marcus and Theodore Ruben Kieser.

Former top international jockey Marcus, currently training in South Africa, was given the nod to train in Singapore last June and is expected to have his first runner in the weeks ahead.

Kieser, who has been assistant to champion trainer Laurie Laxon for several years, was recently granted stables to branch out on his own.