Horse Serious

Spanning over 180 years, Singapore’s horse racing culture is on the verge of a historic conclusion. The world-renowned Singapore Turf Club, the country’s sole racecourse, is scheduled to host its final event next year. As part of a redevelopment program, the Singaporean government will reclaim the extensive 120-hectare site, repurposing it for both public and private housing.

The famed race track has hosted many notable events, including one named after the avid racegoer and racehorse breeder, Queen Elizabeth II. During her visit in 1972, Her Late Majesty presented the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Cup, a race that she attended for a second time in 2006.

The Singapore Turf Club has expressed acknowledgment of the expansive and impressive history of Singapore’s horse racing. In a statement released on Monday, the club emphasized its commitment to preserving the sportsmanship, safety, and integrity of every race until the grand finale. The last race will be the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup, set to take place on October 5, 2024.

Singapore’s Turf Club: Then and Now

The roots of horse racing in Singapore can be traced back to 1842 when William Henry Macleod Read, a Scottish merchant, along with other racing enthusiasts established the Singapore Sporting Club. Together, they turned a patch of semi-swampland in Farrer Park, located in central Singapore, into a dynamic racecourse. In 1924, the venue was officially renamed the Singapore Turf Club.

Horse racing became hugely popular among Europeans, but also the Malay and Chinese racegoers. The diverse participation further enhanced the racing culture. As a response to the ever-growing popularity of the horse racing sport, the racecourse was relocated to Bukit Timah in western Singapore in 1933. This move offered a much larger and more accommodating venue for racing enthusiasts.

In 2000, the Singapore Turf Club made another move to its current location in Kranji, which is situated in the northern part of the island. The state-of-the-art racecourse cost an estimated $500 million. It features a magnificent five-story grandstand, designed to accommodate up to 30,000 spectators.

However, in recent years, the Singapore Turf Club has witnessed a large decline in attendance, leading to the government’s decision to repurpose the land to meet future land use needs. With Singapore’s limited land availability, the government continually reviews its land use plans to balance the current requirements with the needs of future generations.

The Ministry of National Development has outlined its intention to explore alternative uses for the site, including the development of leisure and recreational facilities. This approach is to ensure that the land will continue to benefit the public even after the end of Singapore’s horse racing era.