Kiwis Abroad: Harvey happy to play waiting game

4 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

New Zealand horseman Glen Harvey has already filled a number of roles in the breeding and racing industries and he is prepared to bide his time in pursuit of his dream vocation.

The 30-year-old is currently assistant trainer to Tan Kah Soon after making the overseas move to Singapore in 2016.

The experienced Harvey, whose parents Bruce and Maureen operate Ascot Farm in Cambridge, has his heart set on training and knows fulfilment of his goal will have to be accomplished by a decent serving of patience.

“I’d love to go training one day and it’s a long process to do it in Singapore.” – Glen Harvey.

“I’d love to go training one day and it’s a long process to do it in Singapore,” he said.

Glen Harvey in Singapore

“With the way racing is in New Zealand there’s a great opportunity here and it’s definitely my aim.”

Harvey has been around thoroughbreds all of his life working alongside his mother and father and on leaving school he gained employment with Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Stud.

“I then went to Woodlands Stud, formerly Darley, and looked after Commands and Lonhro and after that I went down to Little Avondale Stud and did 12 months there,” he said.

Harvey subsequently established himself as a bloodstock agent, but the current parlous nature of the domestic racing industry made it a hard sell.

“I had a bit of success, but it’s pretty tough in New Zealand.” – Glen Harvey.

“I had a bit of success, but it’s pretty tough in New Zealand,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to go training.”

Glen Harvey (right) with agent Paul Moroney

Family connections have enabled him to make the first step in Singapore.

“I’ve been up here about 16 months and started working for Soon about 13 months ago,” Harvey said.

“It’s going really well and how it really started was Mum and Dad had horses for Teh Choon Beng and Dr Tan, Soon’s father, was his assistant trainer and later took over the stables.

“Dad gave Soon a reference when he wanted to start training and we’ve always kept in touch.

“Soon was one of the first people on the Darley Flying Start programme and he was an assistant trainer to Saeed Bin Suroor in England and in Dubai.” – Glen Harvey.

“Soon was one of the first people on the Darley Flying Start programme and he was an assistant trainer to Saeed Bin Suroor in England and in Dubai.

Trainer, Tan Kah Soon (right)

“He got his licence to train in Singapore and it’s all working out really well.”

The family connection is still as strong as ever and Harvey’s parents have seven horses in the stable with Tavito (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) a recent winner at Kranji.

“Mum and Dad have got another two coming up here and Soon is trying to get more New Zealand owners and bought three horses at the Ready to Run Sale,” Harvey said.

“Soon has got a very good reputation and we’ve got 40 horses and just got another 10 boxes so we’d have 50 on the books.” – Glen Harvey.

“A lot of horses have transferred to us. Soon has got a very good reputation and we’ve got 40 horses and just got another 10 boxes so we’d have 50 on the books.

Recent Kranji winner, Tavito as a yearling

“There’s a number in New Zealand that could potentially come up here in time.”

His parents are naturally heavily involved in New Zealand, as are horse breaker Paul Pertab and trainer Finbarr Leahy.

“We are starting to use Richard Collett as well,” Harvey said. “His daughter Alysha did a bit of riding for us here before she had her accident.

“They may have cut the prize money here, but it’s still so much better than at home.” – Glen Harvey.

“They may have cut the prize money here, but it’s still so much better than at home. A big thing is that an average horse here can win a lot of money.

“It’s not that expensive to have a horse here and the vets aren't as expensive either.”

From 12 starters this season, the stable has produced two winners with Boy Next Door (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) their latest in a 1000 metre maiden on Sunday evening.