Singapore - Racing



A day (or night) at the races at the new track at Kranji The glamour of race day when horses streak past the winning post with jockeys in their multi-hued silks is but one facet of it. The compelling drama, colour, exhilaration and sheer beauty of the Sport of Kings has filled the imagination and captured the hearts of millions of racing enthusiasts around the world. Horse racing in Singapore dates back to the formation of the Singapore Sporting Club in 1842, during the early pioneer days of Sir Stamford Raffles. The first race, called the Singapore Cup, was held to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the founding of Singapore. The race took place on 23 February 1843 at the site of what is now the Farrer Park Sports Complex. Prize money for the race was $150, then a princely sum. Singapore Turf Club Races are held on Wednesday and Saturday nights and are exciting affairs. In Singapore, the first race commences at about 5.15pm and the last race is usually held at about 9.30pm. Singapore races are telecast "live" to the three turf clubs in Malaysia, and vice-versa. On average, 25,000 race goers converge at the Club on race days. Races are telecast over a giant outdoor video screen and over the many state-of-the art video screens and television monitors within the grandstand.



Facilities of The Singapore Turf Club There are dress codes for the various areas: Lower and Upper Grandstands - no shorts, singlets and slippers. Racing Gold Card and Owners' Rooms - no jeans, shorts, collarless T-shirts, slippers and sandals. Hibiscus Room - Long-sleeved shirt and tie for men and appropriate equivalent for ladies. Tourists can purchase an admission ticket at $20 to the Membership exclusive Hibiscus Room on Level 3 of the Grandstand. Hand phones are strictly prohibited in the Club on race days. Race goers must be 18 years and above. Location: About 30 minutes from the city

GRANSTAND / MAIN BUILDING The four-storey Grandstand accommodates 30,000 race goers, with a seating capacity of about 13,000. Levels 2,3 and 4 are fully air-conditioned, while the seating area on Level 1 is completely under shelter.

TRACKS The main sand-based racetracks is 31 metres wide and 2,000 metres long on the long course. It is turfed with El Toro-Zoysia grass reinforced with a netlon fibre mesh to anchor the roots. The El-Toro grass is resilient and recovers quickly when damaged.

TRACK LIGHTING A total of 41 light masts, each 30 to 40 metres high, are strategically positioned around the main track. Each mast holds 36 to 74 1.8 kilowatt bulbs, which can be individually adjusted and angled.

STABLING FACILITIES There are stables for 1,000 horses, including 760 stalls in double-storey blocks and 240 stalls in single storey blocks. Fifty percent of the blocks stables are air-conditioned. Closed-circuit cameras provide round-the-clock surveillance of the stables, and a dedicated team of security personnel make regular rounds to check the fences and the grounds.

OTHER KEY FACILITIES The Parade Ring – the focal point of a magnificent garden plaza – will be the venue for horses to parade before each race. Elegant fabric canopies will shade race goers from the elements as they assess the track worthiness of the horses. Believed to be a first in the region, a glass panelled "horsewalk" within the Grandstand allows race goers to view the horses up close as they are led to the main racetrack. There are a total of 400 betting windows at the new racecourse. A total of 146 LED picture boards, 34 Plasma video screens and 340 television screens throughout the Grandstand provide race goers even greater close-up coverage of races.

PUBLIC ACCESS It is 20 kilometres from Singapore's city centre and 30 minutes from Singapore Changi Airport.

SERVICES & FACILITIES Betting Facilities Over 400 betting windows and numerous ACCESS terminal points strategically located at all levels. Electronic Dividend Boards Special electronic dividend boards are installed above most of the tote houses and at other strategic locations for easy and quick access to the latest dividends. Betting Information Counters Betting Information Counters are located at every level. Money changing facilities for major currencies are also available at the counters.