When Tourbillon Prince won a Class 3 handicap on December 15 at Sha Tin it meant more than just another winner for Benno Yung. The popular trainer was back after six months away and the smiles on the faces of those closest to him – wife Phoebe and daughter Samantha – told the story best. That was just the start of what has been an inspirational comeback from cancer treatment.
“It was quite emotional because it (treatment) is quite a journey, especially given that treatment alone wasn’t exactly simple,” Yung’s daughter Samantha told Idol Horse. “It was definitely a tough journey for him and it is also not easy as a family to watch him go through that but since we have all put so much effort and care into this particular path, then seeing that winner means a lot more. It was particularly moving and encouraging.”
In June the trainer was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a condition in which bone marrow creates a large number of abnormal blood cells. The news rocked his close-knit family.
“I think it’s safe to say that it was rather shocking and quite devastating when we first found out. Most people would,” Samantha said.
But after the initial shock, Samantha’s background in science allowed her to think more clearly about the situation.
“Fortunately given I am in this field of business as I studied biomedical sciences, I had certain access and knowledge with regards to the sickness part of it and because I am involved in the innovation and technology side of biomedical science, I am grateful to have the resources and access to find out what treatment options are out there,” she said. “So after I got past the emotional part, I had to switch into the logical and technical side of things.
“I just tried to figure out, ok, what can we do? How can we support him and help him resolve this? Obviously we are grateful that the Jockey Club gave us so much support in that regard. The team that they came up with to take care of him.
“The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the clinical team have been great throughout the whole process and we are incredibly thankful.”
Part of the treatment for AML is a bone marrow transplant, which is most effective from a close family member and results in full remission in the majority of cases.
Samantha was the most suitable candidate and she obviously decided to donate without hesitation.
“It was a no brainer for me, because he is my father, and at the end of the day I just want him to be well and be healthy and that is all that matters,” she said. “Nothing else matters. As long as he is back, up and running, and back to normal, then we are happy.”
Yung is more than just back, he is better than ever.
The trainer never stopped working throughout his treatment, albeit remotely, watching trackwork videos and talking to assistant trainer Roy Cheung on a daily basis.
“There were times when Roy helped out a lot with the stable operations,” Samantha said. “They kept a close communication channel with each other, my father was making plans while Roy helped execute them.
“When we found out officially, nothing much actually changed in terms of his workload. He just had to work remotely, while giving orders and maintaining close communication with his staff, owners and other stakeholders. Of course, that would imply his assistant had to step up to handle some of the on-site tasks and hands on operation. But he has actually still been doing his daily work.
“I thought, ‘Wow, he is going through all that and in the morning he was still watching trackwork, still planning all of the work and nominations and jockey bookings.’ Most people can’t see it, but he was doing it.”
Yung is a horseman renowned for his hands-on approach, earning the nickname “Doctor Yung” for his ability to nurse horses back to health and into form. So being away from the stables hurt his results, more than it would for many other trainers.
Before Tourbillon Prince’s breakthrough Yung had one win this season, but he has had one at each of the Sha Tin meetings since.
“It is great to have him back and I am sure being back at the races will help his recovery,” leading jockey Zac Purton said after riding Tourbillon Prince to another tough win on Sunday. “I’ve always had an association with Benno since he started in 2013. One thing about him: when he has a horse in form, it holds its form. Benno can train.”
Samantha isn’t surprised at the comeback success: “Anybody that knows him, whether professionally or personally, would know that he is going to come back stronger. As his daughter and his friend, I have no doubt in that.
“He is just a really resilient person. It’s just in his character. You know, that is how he gained his reputation as ‘Doctor Yung’ to begin with, because he never gives up on anything whether it is a horse, the people around him or himself.
The trainer is wearing a mask as a precautionary measure until his immune system, which was compromised by treatment, returns to normal.
“To be back in the stables and get on with my work, that has made me feel even better,” Yung said. “I care about my horses very much, that is my passion, so I am happy to be able to keep working with horses. There is a lot of stress in being a trainer in Hong Kong that comes with the pressure from outside, but as long as I can be there and help my team, that is what is most important.”
It was that loyalty to his team that Samantha believes kept her father going through the most difficult times.
“He is a very tough guy. Especially tough on himself,” she said. “He is extremely resilient in face of any sort of adversity. So even though this sickness might have at first been quite traumatising, he has always taken a very positive attitude. He has a great sense of accountability, so he understands the stakes of quitting or not taking any action. Because at that moment (of diagnosis) he had the option to call it quits. Most normal people would have quit: it was close to the end of the season and there was a time when we weren’t sure if his licence would be renewed because of that health issue.
“But it would have been hard for his crew and ‘AT’ to find another place. Unlike others, he thought of them, and then there are his owners that he feels particularly responsible for especially because they have given him so much support. There are these factors considered: he isn’t just doing it for us as a father or for his passion for racing, but also because of his sense of responsibility to his team and owners. That gave him the strength and reason to keep going.”
Towards the end of last season as Yung’s results began to dip the trainer’s family began to get the sense that the local media believed the trainer would retire.
“At one point, there was a sense from the media questioning, “Why doesn’t he just retire?” and why not just retire right away, but it was never really an option for him. Even right now, midway through the season he also has his owners that he would like to give back to. There is a lot more that he still wants to contribute and give back to the racing industry. At least, from me personally, I still feel like there is much more room for him to show the racing world what he can do and what he can contribute, so it would have been a pity for him to give up like that.”
There is still more than half a season to go and with Yung on a roll, Samantha – who in recent years has developed into an astute bloodstock agent – and ‘Team Yung’ are keen to repay the faith shown in them by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the trainer’s loyal owners.
”We are looking forward to bringing more winners for owners, fans and everyone: that is what we want to keep doing. Even though he might have been a certain age, I don’t think that matters as much, because it doesn’t affect his passion and love for racing. As long as he is able, then I am sure he wants to do it,” Samantha said. “Of course on the other hand, we would hope for and welcome more support from owners because at the end of the day we want to end this season with a bang. And not just end this season like it’s our last, but look forward to even more success to come. I think he is on an upward trajectory.”∎
