Racing in Singapore set to come to an end in October 2024

Horseracing in Singapore, a once rich and powerful destination for the sport, will come to a shock and abrupt end in October 2024 after the government on Monday announced plans to reclaim the racecourse land for redevelopment, resulting in the termination of the sport.

A statement released by the Singapore Turf Club read: “The government today announced that about 120 hectares of land in Kranji, on which the Singapore racecourse sits, will be handed back to the Singapore government in 2027 for redevelopment. Singapore Turf Club will close its facility by March 2027.

“The Singapore Turf Club will hold its final race meeting on October 5, 2024, featuring the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup.”

Racing in Singapore has been held for more than 180 years, across three venues in the state, since the Turf Club was founded in 1842. However, the sport has suffered from a sharp decline in fortunes in recent years.

Falling attendances, exacerbated in the post-Covid-19 era, as well plummeting wagering turnover, have resulted in prize-money being slashed and the horse population decreasing by a quarter in the space of four years from 2014 to 2018, the last time statistics of this nature were published.

Singapore has had its number of internationally recognised black-type races reduced dramatically, from a high of 24 in 2020, to only eight for the current racing season, headlined by the Group 3 Kranji Mile that took place in May.

It is understood the government will redevelop the area in land-scarce Singapore for housing redevelopment, as well as for leisure and recreational purposes.

Turf Club chairman, Niam Chiang Meng, said: “We are saddened by the decision of the government to close the Club. At the same time, we understand the land needs of Singapore, including housing and other potential uses such as leisure and recreation.

“We will do our best to ensure business as usual for the Club until our final race meeting. Concurrently, we will work with our stakeholders to ensure a smooth exit for local horse racing and make the necessary preparations for the estate to be handed over to the government by March 2027."

The facilities at Kranji, where racing has been held in Singapore since 2000, include a 30,000 capacity grandstand, as well as extensive racing and training facilities.

Turf Club president and chief executive, Ms Irene MK Lim, said the Club would cease its operations in a “phased” approach.

“Singapore Turf Club is extremely proud to have been the home of horse racing for nearly two centuries. We are committed to seeing this phase of the nation’s history come to an end in a dignified manner, befitting all our stakeholders including employees, jockeys, racehorse owners, racehorse trainers, the equestrian community and horses that have graced our grounds,” she said.

“We hope to leave a lasting impression of the Club that will be fondly and proudly remembered by Singapore and the world.”

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