Former Kranji-based trainer Brian Dean is all set to rejoin the Malaysian Racing Association after being issued his Professional Trainer license by the Perak Turf Club. Dean, who has been in the racing industry since 1973, started as a licensed apprentice jockey with the Victoria Racing Club before receiving his professional jockey’s license in 1979. Between 1989 and 1993, he rode as a visiting rider in the MRA circuit, and among his major successes were the Merlion Trophy and Orchid Trophy.
Subsequently, Dean worked as a track rider and then senior track rider for Malaysian trainers Leong Poh Keong, Marinus van Breukelen, and Peter Lee from July 1995 to May 2000. Starting in 2002, Dean worked as a Stable Supervisor for top Kranji trainers Charles Leck and Laurie Laxon before becoming a trainer in his own right in 2004.
After 11 successful years as a trainer at Kranji, his biggest wins being the 2007 Group 3 EW Barker Trophy with World Airlines and the 2008 Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint with Oneninetyfive, Dean relinquished his license in March 2016 and relocated to Seoul, South Korea, to continue his training career. He became the first foreign trainer to be licensed at the country’s primary race course.
However, Dean’s time in Seoul only lasted 15 months. During that period, the Australian sent out a total of 150 runners, resulting in 28 winners and a strike rate of 18.6 percent. Additionally, 39 percent of his runners finished in the top three. His final runner, Rocket Queen, on June 17, 2017, was a winner.
A press statement issued on Wednesday stated that Dean has been issued a license based at the Perak Turf Club from August 16, 2023, to December 31, 2023, both dates inclusive.
