The year 2023 has been an auspicious one for TAK Group of Companies with the celebration of 30 years of achievement with Teo A. Khing Design Consultants (TAK) and 10 years of success with China Horse Club (CHC).

This time has allowed for the compilation of highlights that we are rightly proud of and the most notable of these are outlined below. More significantly, it has also allowed both companies to establish root systems that run deep and wide and strong – core fundamentals that will allow them to elevate themselves to even higher planes of success in the near future.

As we turn into the Year of the Dragon and contemplate the futures we wish to shape for the different companies within our group, our gaze is firmly set beyond the horizon to 2033 and where we want these individual entities to be.

Over the next decade, our objectives and actions will be guided by the principle of ‘Aim Global. Act Local’ – a mantra that has been our north star since TAK’s inception in 1993.

In the case of TAK, we will come full circle. For most of the last three decades we have spread our wings from our initial offices in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, incorporating bases in Pakistan, Dubai, China and Saint Lucia. Over the next decade, starting in 2024, our energies will be centred on an exceptional project located in my home town of Miri in the Malaysian State of Sarawak.

Kenyalang Smart City (KSC) is being master planned by TAK on behalf of the developer Imasa Dinasti. Personally, I cannot recall a recent project that is more impactive. The scope of positive impact it can impart on communities, not only in and around Miri, but further afield, is immense and will carry over generations.

Importantly, KSC is envisaged to play a major role in fulfilling the Sarawak Government’s vision to re-engineer its economy, diversifying it from being a heavy-resourced based economy, leveraging its assets and intensifying digitalization.

The KSC development, which incorporates trade, education, logistics, medical, wellness, entrepreneurial, residential, recreational, solar energy generation and green lung districts in an eco-friendly environment, will be a bespoke vision for the future of Miri and the wider East Malaysia.

In the case of CHC, a refocusing on Asia will be prioritized alongside our continuing efforts in established major markets. China’s thoroughbred industry has been percolating during an extended Covid-19 enforced lockdown and is readying for the reopening of borders so that it can demonstrate the progress it has made. Coinciding with this reopening has been a notable reinforcing of government-to-government relations with key markets in recent times including the United States. The time is right to allow our operations in China to benefit from our international equine network.

In 2024, the stallion Yoshida will take up residency at Darley Japan in a lease arrangement. Yoshida was raced successfully by the WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, SF Bloodstock partnership. He is a sire we hold great belief in. We will follow Yoshida to Japan to ensure the market understands that our faith in him remains unwavering.

2023 HIGHLIGHTS

• SHEDA Lifetime Achievement Award

• CHC won six G1s to lift our tally to 51 G1s worldwide;

• CHC’s graduates won the AUD1 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (Ozzmosis), USD1 million G1 Pennsylvania Derby (Saudi Crown) and AUD1 million G1 Randwick Guineas as well as two G2s and more;

• CHC sold four yearlings for seven figures in Australia, France and Ireland including the highest priced Siyouni yearling ever (€2.2 million) and highest priced New Bay ever (€1.65 million);

• Russian Revolution was crowned Australian Champion Second Season Sire;

• In second year of operation, The Chase was the second leading vendor by average and the ninth overall by gross despite a draft only numbering seven at the 2023 MM Adelaide Yearling Sale;

FINAL THOUGHTS

The period ahead may present challenges but it is during these times that great opportunities present. I ask all within our TAK family to remain positive and energized to help us achieve our collective goals. 

On behalf of all within our group I wish to also thank all the partners, clients, members and staff for their continued support and energy throughout 2023. It is also a time to remember and thank again all former staff that have worked for our companies for three decades. Their efforts to help us reach this point are not forgotten. May the Festive Season be rewarding to you and to your families.