The horse racing community in South East Asia is in mourning following the tragic death of veteran Malaysian jockey Salee Saad. The 53-year-old rider passed away from cancer on Saturday, January 24th, 2026, after a brief hospital stay in Selangor. His death comes a mere twenty days after he celebrated his latest victory on the track.
A Career Cut Short
Salee Saad, who began his professional riding career in 1991, amassed an impressive total of 334 winners in his home country of Malaysia. His final triumph came on January 4th, 2026, at the Perak Turf Club meeting in Ipoh, where he guided the Kevin Coetzee-trained horse Thundergod to victory. Remarkably, this was the same horse he had ridden to his last win of the previous year in December 2025.
Notable Achievements and Family
Throughout his long career, Salee recorded several significant big-race victories. These included winning the prestigious Penang Gold Cup in 2007, securing the Sultan/Perak Gold Vase—a local classic race—on two occasions, and also claiming the Tunko Gold Cup.
On a personal note, Salee met his New Zealand-born wife, Sharee Hamilton, while he was still an apprentice jockey. The couple married in the year 2000 and were blessed with two children. Hamilton, who previously worked as a track rider and stable supervisor, made history in 2015 by becoming the only licensed female racehorse trainer in Malaysia.
Community in Shock
News of Salee Saad's passing, as first reported by turfonline.com, has sent shockwaves through the racing fraternity across the South East Asian region. Tributes have been pouring in for the respected jockey, whose dedication to the sport spanned over three decades. His sudden decline and death following such a recent competitive success have underscored the cruel and unpredictable nature of illness.
The racing world now remembers Salee not only for his skill and determination in the saddle but also for his contributions to Malaysian horse racing as both a successful competitor and part of a pioneering family within the industry.
