Singapore to Halt Horse Racing in Favor of Urban Development
- Turf Club will host last race next year and close by 2027
- About 120 hectares of land will be redeveloped for housing
Australian jockey Tommy Berry riding horse Dan Excel celebrates just after he crosses the finish line to win the Singapore Airlines International Cup horse race at the Singapore Turf Club on May 18, 2014.
Photographer: Wong Maye-E/AP Photo
Singapore will host its last horse race next year as the government reclaims land for urban development, bringing an end to a sports club that traces its history back to 1842.
The last race meeting at the Singapore Turf Club will take place in October 2024 and the facility will close by March 2027, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of National Development said in a joint statement Monday. About 120 hectares (297 acres) of land will be redeveloped to meet the country’s future needs for housing and potentially include venues for leisure and recreation.