Singapore Turf Club Prepares for Final Race After 182 Years

The Singapore Turf Club will have its last race meeting on October 5 – the final days of a glorious 182-year horse racing legacy. As a fitting highlight to the event, the Grand Singapore Gold Cup will be the event headed by approximately 10,000 patrons. It will be a nostalgic journey through the heritage of Singapore horse racing, but also a series of special activities paying tribute to a venue which has played host to generations of racing fans and dignitaries, including the late Queen Elizabeth II.

With its closure set for March 2027 to make way for housing and development, this grand finale will be a heartfelt occasion for many. For trainers, owners, and jockeys, the day will be more somber. Eric Koh, a horse owner and managing director of Equine Sanctuary, compared the atmosphere to that of a funeral. “It’ll be a sad day for many of us. While it’s a celebration for some, it’s the end of an era for others,” he shared.

The shockwaves caused by an announcement in 2023 regarding closure meant the horse racing community wishes that its heart was changed. Declining spectatorship was one of the critical reasons cited by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of National Development as to why the Kranji site had to be closed and repurposed for future land-use needs. Despite this, the horse racing community has come to terms with the reality, though relocating their horses and finding new racing venues overseas remains a challenging and emotional transition.

STC’s head of tracks, R. Jayaraju, who has maintained the racecourse for over 20 years, spoke about the emotions surrounding the closure. “We want to showcase our capacity one last time without letting emotions get the better of us,” he said. Employees, including Jayaraju, will be honored during the day, with one race named the Singapore Turf Club Trophy—a tribute to their dedication over the years.

Beyond the races, visitors can immerse themselves in the club’s storied history through a specially curated Heritage Walk and an exhibition showcasing the winners of STC’s photo competition. Over 200 entries across categories like architecture, flora and fauna, and racing were submitted, providing a unique lens into the club’s legacy.

This final race day will also feature enhanced prize money, with the Gold Cup’s purse increasing to $1.38 million. Other races, such as the Class 2 event, will see a purse increase from $85,000 to $170,000, ensuring that the last chapter in STC’s history is both grand and memorable.

While the end of horse racing in Singapore is bittersweet, the industry remains optimistic, with many looking at opportunities abroad. However, as former jockey Matthew Kellady remarked, racing overseas can never replicate the experience of competing at home. “Singapore Turf Club was my whole life,” he said. Now working in China, Kellady reflects on the difficulty of leaving his family behind for his new role.

As the final chapter of the Singapore Turf Club draws to a close, many will gather to celebrate its long history, even as they grapple with the sadness of its ending. The October 5 event is not just a farewell to the horses and the track but also a farewell to a beloved part of Singapore’s sporting culture.