Horse racing has been an integral part of Singapore’s cultural fabric for almost 200 years. The Singapore Turf Club, which started as the Singapore Sporting Club in 1842, attracted thousands during its peak, reminiscent of a mini-Ascot with esteemed guests like British royalty. However, the sport gradually lost its allure to newer entertainment options, especially with the emergence of lavish casinos like Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.

Key Milestones in Singapore’s Horse Racing History:

1842: Founded by a Scottish merchant and enthusiasts, the Singapore Turf Club held its first race in 1843, the Singapore Cup, celebrating Sir Stamford Raffles’s founding anniversary with a prize of S$150.

1933: The Club expanded to Bukit Timah, selling the old racecourse for S$1.5 million and opening a new grandstand attended by 5,000 guests.

1981: The first women jockeys were permitted to compete, marking a significant change in the sport’s landscape.

1988: The Singapore Totalisator Board was established to manage racing and betting operations.

1999: After five years of construction, the Kranji Racecourse was inaugurated, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and a capacity of 30,000 spectators.

2011: Singaporean horse Rocket Man made history by winning the Dubai Golden Shaheen, showcasing the local talent on the international stage.

2020: The COVID-19 pandemic forced the club to limit attendance and eventually suspend all races, with the facility repurposed for foreign workers recovering from the virus.

2023: The Singapore government announced the closure of the Turf Club by 2027, with the last race scheduled for October 2024, marking the end of an era for this storied institution.