The Singaporean government has resolved to terminate horse racing, a sport with a storied 180-year history in the Lion City.
The Singapore Turf Club (STC) validated this decision on Monday, announcing plans for the land, currently housing the Kranji racecourse, to undergo redevelopment.
STC Chairman, Niam Chiang Meng, expressed sorrow over the government’s decision to shut down the club but acknowledged the nation’s land requirements, including the increasing demand for housing and potential recreational and leisure spaces.
“We recognise that the Kranji site is a valuable asset that can be repurposed to meet the evolving needs and aspirations of Singaporeans,” he stated, adding that the transition would “optimise land use for the greater good of the local community and future generations”.
The grand finale to this equestrian chapter is set to be the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup, marking the last race at Kranj.
Despite the closure of the local racing scene, it is speculated that betting on international races may persist.
The demise of horse racing in the city is attributed to a confluence of factors.
Over the past decade, the STC confirmed dwindling attendance and declining turnover at the racecourse, exacerbated by the opening of two casinos in 2010.
In recent years, reductions in prize money, a diminishing horse population, and a reduction in race meetings due to COVID have further contributed to the sport’s decline.
Additionally, the discontinuation of Kranji’s two major international races – the International Cup and the KrisFlyer International Sprint – in 2015, marked a significant blow to the local racing industry.
STC President and Chief Executive, Irene Lim, voiced the Club’s enduring pride in serving as the hub of horse racing for nearly two centuries.
She assured that the STC is dedicated to ensuring a dignified closure, respecting all stakeholders, including employees, jockeys, racehorse owners, trainers, the equestrian community, and the horses that have graced the grounds.
Lim expressed hope that the Club’s legacy would be remembered fondly and proudly by Singapore and the world at large.
Over the years, the Kranji racecourse witnessed numerous victories by Hong Kong horses, notably with the Caspar Fownes-trained Southern Legend securing back-to-back Kranji Miles in 2018 and 2019.
Fownes also claimed the International Sprint three times, while five-time Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton boasted an impressive record of big-race wins at Kranji.
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