Singapore Racing Track

Racing has long been a favourite sport in Singapore and is run by the Singapore Turf Club, which operates under the Malayan Racing Association (MRA). The origins of the sport date back to 1842, a time when Singapore’s population was only about 35,000 and the Singapore Sporting Club was first established.

The Singapore Turf Club is both the oldest and sole horse racing authority in the country and is known for its modern, world-class facilities. It is owned by the Singapore Totalisator Board and is responsible for overseeing and conducting racing at the Singapore Racecourse in Kranji. Importantly, funds generated through wagering are reinvested into the community, supporting a wide range of charitable causes.

Singapore’s first official race meeting took place on 23 February 1843 at the Serangoon Road Racecourse, located at Farrer Park Field. In 1933, the club moved to Bukit Timah, where it remained for 66 years before relocating to Kranji in 1999. Today, Kranji is a premier racing venue capable of accommodating up to 30,000 spectators, with a four-level grandstand offering extensive viewing areas, entertainment options, and fine dining experiences.

Racing in Singapore is conducted for most of the year, with the season typically beginning in early January and concluding in late November or early December. Although the schedule has evolved over time — particularly following the impact of COVID-19 — racing in 2021 was mainly held on Saturdays (32 meetings) and Sundays (16 meetings). These meetings generally featured 12-race programs starting around 12:30pm local time and finishing close to 5pm.

The Singapore racing calendar includes six Group 1 races, with the Singapore Gold Cup over 2000 metres in November regarded as the country’s most prestigious event. Two internationally renowned Group 1 races were discontinued after their final run in 2015: the Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) and the KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m). Both were held in May, with the sprint famously won by Takeover Target in 2008.

Racing in Singapore was suspended in 2020 from early April until mid-July due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the Singapore Derby and Lion City Cup — both Group 1 races — could not be staged that year. The three-month halt was even longer than the 1977 suspension caused by an outbreak of equine influenza.

Similar to Hong Kong, Singapore does not have a domestic thoroughbred breeding industry. All racehorses are imported, with the majority sourced from Australia and New Zealand, alongside others from Europe, Asia, and the United States.

A number of Australian jockeys and trainers are based in Singapore. Among the most prominent riders are Danny Beasley and Vlad Duric, while leading trainers at Kranji include Daniel Meagher, Shane Baertschiger, and Steven Burridge.

Australian participants have enjoyed considerable success in Singapore racing. Notable Group 1 winners include Corey Brown, Glenn Boss, Michael Rodd, Craig Williams, Tommy Berry, Michael Freedman, Cliff Brown, and Lee Freedman.