Last year Singapore-based trainer Michael J Clement purchased the most expensive horse at The Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO in Training Sale. The son of ShamExpress was purchased for A$ 320,000 in conjunction with D J Lightning (USA:.
Michael Clements trained for five years in Zimbabwe. He was crowned Champion Trainer. He trained over 260 winners in his homeland and he has trained over 590 winners at Kranji including 60 feature race winners (Two Group 1’s, two Group 2’s, 17 Group 3’s, 17 Listed and 22 Stakes races:, as well as a Triple Crown winner since 1998. TOP KNIGHT continued his rich vein of form with three-year-olds in 2019 while Countofmontecristo lifted the Merlion Trophy in 2019.
Michael J Clement speaks to The Impact about his record breaking purchases and much more
Q: What was it about THIS particular horse's physiology, performance or pedigree which attracted you to pay a premium?
A: He looked like a runner to me - good sized, strong, and athletic, with a great walking motion and a laid back temperament
Q: Have you had a chance to see this year's catalogue? What are you looking for this year?
A: I’ll be looking for similar horses this year - good movers with acceptable confirmations and temperaments and strength
Q: When you decide to buy a horse, whether it’s a yearling or a ready-2-race horse, what is your process from the time the catalogue comes out to the day of the sale?
A: For Singapore I generally look for a RUNNER at a two year old sale - by a notable stallion and with an ok speed/miler pedigree - we will screen the breeze-up and come up with an inspection list - we will inspect the horse and see if it fits into my above criteria - if I like the horse we’ll gather info about the horse from the vendor etc - we will screen the vet checks - and come up with a short list
Q: Which was your most favorite horse from your own stable and why?
A: COUNTOFMONTECRISTO has been my most recent stable favorite - he’s been a hassle free and sound individual that always gives his best in his races.
Q: Which was a horse you would have loved to have trained and why?
A: I believe that all top performing horses handle the stress of training and racing well – in fact they thrive on it - I’m always happy to train horses with this demeanor.
Q: Given your list of accolades, what is on your bucket list for the next decade?
A: I have been in the top three Trainers in Singapore for the last couple of seasons. My current goal is to win the Trainers Championship in Singapore. I have won two Group 1 races in Singapore and along the way to a Trainers title, I aim to win as many as I can of the of the other six Group 1 races here.