Legendary horse trainer Brian Kan died at the age of 84

Horse trainer Brian Kan Ping-chee, who won five trainers’ premierships, died at the age of 84 on Saturday.

Kan was admitted to hospital two days ago after he fell at home and blood was found in his urine. He was discharged on Saturday and died during his sleep at around 9pm, according to his wife of five decades. 

The man emigrated to the United Kingdom in 1952 and worked in a Chinese restaurant near Epsom Downs Racecourse. The proximity landed him a job as a groom in a horse stable and he got a diploma in horse management. 

Kan returned to Hong Kong in 1969 and joined the Hong Kong Jockey Club as an assistant trainer. He became a trainer in the 1978-79 season and had 844 wins in total – a record at one time -- until his retirement in 2005. 

The five-time champion of Hong Kong Trainer Premierships won in four consecutive seasons from 1986 to 1989, as well as 2000. 

Paying tribute, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said: “Brian was not only a remarkable trainer with outstanding training records, but also a good teacher with strong commitment to nurture home grown racing talents, particularly trainers and jockeys for the next generation. They include Dennis Yip, also a champion trainer, Me Tsui and Jimmy Ting. All of them are seasoned trainers in Hong Kong. It is unquestionable that Kan had played an important role in the development of Hong Kong racing.

 “On behalf of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family.”

Throughout his time as a trainer in Hong Kong, Kan was best known for successfully nurturing five Hong Kong Derby winners – Superior Gold (1985), Yuno When (1986), William’s Coach (1989), Sound Print (1992) and Industrial Pioneer (2001).

He won the very first edition of the Hong Kong Cup – formerly known as the Hong Kong Invitation Cup – with Flying Dancer in 1988; he was synonymous for the handling of Industrialist, winner of the Hong Kong Gold Cup and Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2000.

Kan claimed two Hong Kong Horse of The Year titles with Yuno When (1985/86) and Flying Dancer (1986/87).

An indigenous villager in Sheung Shui, Kan was a representative of the Sheung Shui Rural Committee and Heung Yee Kuk. He ran for the Legislative Council elections in 1995, 1998 and 2000 but did not get elected. 

He was also brought to court several times. He was found guilty of indecently assaulting a domestic helper and was fined HK$25,000.