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那个男人、那个神话，和那个即将诞生的传奇
THE MAN, THE MYTH AND
SOON TO BE LEGEND
TEXT / CHRISTIE DEBERNARDIS 中译／编辑部
It’s the last Friday in November, groundbreaking ceremony on its first- When he speaks on a subject about which
but you wouldn’t know it on the ever racetrack. In addition to a racetrack he is passionate, like horseracing, even
beautiful island of St. Lucia with with state-of-the-art dirt and turf those not interested in the topic can’t help
temperatures in the low eighties and courses, the $2.6-billion project also but listen intently to what he has to say.
the sun shining brightly in the clear includes a marina, casino, resorts, retail
blue sky. Gathered in a private room district, and much more. In addition to having the brains and
in the Coconut Bay resort on the south personality it takes to succeed at such
side of the island known as Vieux Fort Who could take on a project of this a high level, Teo also has the resume
is a small, but mighty group of racing magnitude, gather such an elite and to back it up. Born in East Malaysia,
dignitaries from around the world, diverse group of horseracing industry the 55-year-old started Teo Ah Khing
including John Warren, bloodstock leaders and even attract English royalty Design Consultants (TAK), an
advisor to England’s Queen Elizabeth; to his event? The mystery man is none architectural firm which is responsible for
Sir Charles Williams, a leading other than China Horse Club Chairman designing and building the magnificent
owner/breeder in Barbados; and and Founder Teo Ah Khing, of course. Meydan Racecourse grandstand for the
Trinidad racing representative David 2010 G1 Dubai World Cup, a project
Loregnard. It only takes about 10 minutes spent with which was completed in a record 924
Teo to see how he could accomplish such days. It was this project that introduced
The unique group, which would later a feat. The Harvard-educated architect Teo to the sport of kings.
be joined by Prince Harry of Wales, is as dynamic and captivating as he is
was there to take part in an important intelligent, a combination of traits which “Designing a grandstand without any
event for the Caribbean nation, the have clearly aided him in his success. knowledge of horses allowed us to go
and study racing and all its rules and
reg ulations around the world,” Teo
explained. “We learned and I personally
fell in love with horses. That’s how I
started my history with horse racing.”
TDN has authorised the “Sheikh Mohammed initially wanted to
reproduction of this article bring the sport into China, so we went
本文由TDN Weekend授权转载 into China with the view of encouraging
the Chinese to get involved, not just
in racing, but breeding and everything
having to do with horses,” the Singapore
resident continued. ”In 2010 was the
depth of the financial crisis so things
changed, but we remained in China and
found other partners like Coolmore and
others to come and continue the journey
with us.”
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