After over 180 years, horse racing in Singapore has ended with the Singapore Turf Club's final race day. The 120-hectare site will be redeveloped for housing to accommodate Singapore's growing population. This decision, while controversial, comes as the sport's popularity had been declining, with attendance dropping significantly over the past decade. The final event drew about 10,000 spectators to the state-of-the-art facility, which was once considered world-class. Many long-time enthusiasts, especially pensioners, attended the last race day, marking the end of an era. The land is set to be returned to the government by early 2027 for future development.
The era of horse racing in Singapore has come to a close after more than 180 years, with the Singapore Turf Club hosting its final race day. The track, spanning over 120 hectares, will be repurposed for housing development as the densely populated city-state, smaller than New York City, grapples with accommodating its growing population of over six million.
The government's decision to reclaim the land for future generations' housing needs has sparked controversy, particularly within the riding and training community. However, the sport had already been experiencing a decline in popularity. Average race-day attendance dropped from 11,000 in 2010 to about 6,000 in 2019, with the COVID-19 pandemic further reducing numbers by more than half. The final race day saw around 10,000 spectators, only a third of the stadium's capacity.
The Turf Club's last home was a state-of-the-art facility built at a cost of SGD 500 million (USD 384 million). It boasted modern amenities such as air-conditioned booths, floodlighting for night races, and a grandstand capable of hosting 30,000 spectators. Tim Fitzsimmons, a prominent trainer relocating to Australia, praised Singapore as a former world leader in horse racing and highlighted the track's exceptional quality.
The final race day attracted a diverse crowd including many long-time enthusiasts and pensioners who had been regular attendees for decades. The atmosphere was filled with nostalgia as chain-smoking punters cheered on thoroughbreds, elderly spectators conversed in Chinese dialects and veteran racegoers pored over newspaper clippings for horse information.
The closure marks the end of a significant chapter in Singapore's sporting and cultural history. The site is scheduled to be returned to the government by early 2027 after preparatory work, signalling the beginning of a new era focused on addressing the nation's pressing housing needs.
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