Michael Lee remembered as astute breeder and trainer

By Jordan Gerrans

Michael Lee is being remembered as an astute trainer and breeder of racehorses as well as a sharp businessman following his death last week. 

He was 65 years of age. 

Lee only ever kept a relatively small team of gallopers in work on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, but he always found success. 

He prepared classy horses such as Yes Dream, Ruby July and Platinum Tycoon in more recent years while he tasted black-type glory back in 2004 with Regal Punch. 

Yes Dream, Ruby July and Platinum Tycoon – who combined to win 40 races - are all from Lee’s grand producing broodmare Platinum Ruby. 

Yes Dream and Ruby July both travelled to the city to win metropolitan races. 

Lee stepped away from training in recent years after suffering a stroke before he was diagnosed with cancer. 

Away from the track, Lee owned and operated a popular Chinese restaurant as well as cooking at other venues in the region over the years. 

He started in the racing game many decades ago as a complete novice and was mentored by former North Queensland trainer Leon Morton. 

Lee also had a close connection with champion Sydney trainer Gerald Ryan as he would often pick up horses from his stable while they were regularly together at yearling sales’.

Queensland racing broadcaster David Fowler was one of many who paid tribute to Lee following his passing.

“He was best known in North Queensland as an astute trainer with a very good strike-rate, he had those colours with the yellow and red V,” Fowler said.

“He would occasionally make the trip to Brisbane and he won the Queensland Cup with a horse could Regal Punch with Stathi Katsidis riding back in 2004.

“Michael was also a well-known restauranter in the north of the state.”

The Queensland Cup was raced at Group 3 level on that occasion.

Lee last took a galloper to the races in May of 2024 when Ruby July ran second at Mount Garnet. 

Lee’s broodmare Platinum Ruby became the backbone of his operation. 

The chestnut mare only won three races on the track, all for Ryan on the provincial circuit in New South Wales, before retiring to FNQ where she produced for Lee for many years. 

Ruby July won a city race in April of 2022 while Yes Dream did the same in July of the same year. 

Yes Dream won at Mareeba in the middle of March and has been in the paddock since. 

Former Far North Country Racing Association president Don Scheffler has a close connection with Morton and the duo watched Lee’s training career closely.

“He was a get-up-and-go guy,” Scheffler said.

Lee’s life was celebrated with a service on Saturday following his passing on Wednesday of last week. 

Racing Queensland extends its condolences to the Lee family.