Singapore Turf Club (STC) in Kranji will be returning the land it occupies to the Government by March 2027. This move will pave the way for housing and various other developments in the area. The plans for redevelopment include the transformation of the Woodlands Checkpoint vicinity, the enhancement of Woodlands Town under the Remaking our Heartland program, and the establishment of a high-tech agri-food cluster in the Lim Chu Kang area.
The closure of the Singapore Turf Club also marks the end of over 180 years of horse racing in Singapore. The sport has experienced a decline in spectatorship over the years. Second Minister for Finance and National Development, Indranee Rajah, explained that the decision was necessary due to increasing demands for land. The government regularly reviews land use plans to optimize resources and meet the needs of Singaporeans, keeping in mind both the present and future generations.
Spanning approximately 120 hectares, the area occupied by the Singapore Turf Club is equivalent to about 200 football fields and is larger than the entire Gardens by the Bay, which covers 101 hectares.
The STC will conduct its final race, the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup, on October 5, 2024, before ceasing its operations by March 2027. The Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ministry of National Development (MND) jointly stated that the decision to redevelop the Singapore Racecourse site would enable comprehensive master planning to meet future land-use requirements. The MND is also exploring potential uses such as leisure and recreation while considering the needs of equestrian entities that wish to continue operating in Singapore.
To assist STC staff during the transition, the ministries have outlined a phased retrenchment plan starting in October 2024. Support measures, including retrenchment packages, counseling, job placement assistance, personal career guidance, and skills training courses, will be provided. Racehorse trainers and owners who are not STC staff will receive assistance with horse maintenance and exportation. The exportation process will begin after the last race on October 5, 2024, and conclude by March 2026. STC will honor existing contractual obligations with its tenants and livery horse owners.
The government, in collaboration with the Tote Board, STC, and other stakeholders, will work towards commemorating the heritage of the club and local horse racing.
STC currently hosts approximately 550 races per year, equating to around one race day per week, with 10 to 13 races held on each race day. However, the average attendance per race day declined from around 11,000 spectators in 2010 to about 6,000 spectators between 2010 and 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic. After reopening to the public in April 2022, the average attendance per race dropped to about 2,600, less than half the pre-Covid-19 average.
STC chairman Niam Chiang Meng disclosed that each race generates approximately $400,000, resulting in a yearly total of $1.1 billion. This figure has declined from around $2.1 billion in 2010 when the integrated resorts were introduced. Niam attributed this decline to the emergence of other sports betting options, which reduced interest in horse racing. A similar trend has been observed in other countries, such as the United States and Britain.
STC relocated from its previous Bukit Timah location to Kranji in 1999, which is also designated for housing and other purposes. The Kranji racecourse features a five-storey grandstand with seating for up to 30,000 spectators and incorporates light masts that facilitated the introduction of night racing.
Founded in 1842, the Singapore Turf Club came under the management of the Tote Board in 1988 when the board was established. In 2019, Singapore Pools took over the management of horse betting. Tote Board's CEO, Fong Yong Kian, assured that Singapore Pools would continue to allow betting on overseas races even after horse racing in Singapore concludes in October 2024.
While the Singapore Turf Club expressed sadness over the government's decision, it acknowledges Singapore's land needs. The club is determined to maintain business as usual until the final race meeting and assured its employees of fair compensation.
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