Thousands flock to S'pore turf club for final race, ending 182-year legacy

On Oct. 5, 2024, the Singapore Turf Club (STC) drew the final curtain to its 182-year legacy with the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup.

News of Singapore's only horse racing club's impending closure rocked the nation last year in June 2023. It was founded in 1842.

The 120 hectares of land which STC occupies will be handed back to the government for redevelopment by March 2027.

Thousands went down to STC for final race

At least several thousand people went down to STC on Saturday (Oct. 5) to watch the horse racing club's final race, according to Lianhe Zaobao.

Some spectators who missed previous free ticket collection came as early as 7am to collect tickets for the race.

Horse racing enthusiasts from overseas, including Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia, also travelled all the way to Kranji to witness the historic racecourse event.

A valuable resource

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ministry of National Development (MND) said that declining spectatorship over the years played a part in the horse racing club's closure.

The sentiment was shared by Lei, a tourist from Hong Kong, who told Zaobao that many places are facing the issue of racecourses becoming deserted.

Considering the matter, the government decided that redeveloping the racecourse site would allow for the land and its surroundings to be planned to better meet Singapore's future land uses.

While saddened by the government's decision to close the club, STC chairman Niam Chiang Meng said he understands Singapore's land needs.

"The Kranji site is a valuable resource that can help meet the evolving needs and aspirations of Singaporeans, and this transition will serve to optimise land use for the greater good for the local community and future generations," Niam said in a joint press conference on Jun. 5, 2023.

Top image via Shin Min and Google Photos