The Malayan Racing Association (MRA), controlling body of horse racing in Malaysia and Singapore, became a race sponsor in 1988 when they initiated the MRA Cup which was run at lpoh.

The MRA could not have asked for a bigger-named first winner in COLONIAL CHIEF, who led a team of six MRA horses to the second Hong Kong Invitation Cup (1,800m) at Sha Tin the following January and brought honours to the MRA with a narrow victory. The ‘CHIEF’ went on to become the first equine millionaire on the local circuit.

Since then, the MRA Cup is staged on rotation amongst the four turf clubs with prizemoney of either RM250,000 or S$250,000. The race distances vary and is decided by the club staging the race.

Colonial Chief went down third to stablemate GRAND ILLUSION the following year but was back in the winner’s circle in the MRA Cup in 1990 when it was run over 1,850m at Bukit Timah.

That year’s Cup was also used as qualifying race to select two horses to the Hong Kong Invitation Cup. COLONIAL CHIEF won by an amazing 9 1/2 lengths. In Hong Kong, the "CHIEF" ran a courageous third despite drifting to the outside rails.

After Allan, subsequent champion trainers of the MRA have all carved their names in the roll-of-honour.

Teh Choon Beng won the race with ULTRAMAN II in 1991 with the winner gaining sweet revenge over STARMAN, who had a month earlier won the Singapore Gold Cup on protest, relegating ULTRAMAN II to second place. The 1991 runner-up’s name was all too familiar - COLONIAL CHIEF.

Malcolm Thwaites’ turn in came in 1992 when it was staged over 1,700m at Penang. Run in heavy going, mudlark LADY ARCHER (A John) led her rivals on a merry chase.

The 1993 MRA Cup at lpoh marked the first time that the race was run at weight-for-age. JINGLE BELL IV’s victory that year was made more memorable for Teh when the winner was followed home by COURTLINE JESTER (Sam Subian) and THE SUNTAN (SY Leong) , making it a 1-2-3 finish for Teh and owners Auric Stable.

Charles Leck had his turn in 1997 when he sent out FLINT ZEST to victory over 1,400m at Ipoh. He completed a double the following year with EAGLE'S LANDING, when it was again run over 1,400m - at Bukit Timah.

The 2000 MRA Cup created history. Johann van Breukelen-trained HIGH WIRE (Darryl Bradley) and THE BIG BOPPER, ridden by Gary Skinner and prepared by eventual champion trainer that year Jonathan Sargent, flashed past the post together. It was the first-ever deadheat in a classic race in the local circuit.