The Singapore Turf Club (STC) will close its doors by March 2027, with the final race meet to take place in October 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of National Development.
Inside Asian Gaming reported that ministry officials cited a need to optimize land resources in the city-state.
“Singapore is a city-state with limited land,” the June 5 statement said. “The government continually reviews its land use plans to meet today’s needs while ensuring there is sufficient land for future generations. Local horse racing has also experienced declining spectatorship over the years.
“The government has decided that redeveloping the Singapore Racecourse site will allow for the land occupied by the racecourse (spanning some 120 hectares, or nearly 300 acres) and its surroundings to be holistically master planned to better meet our future land use needs.”
The soon-to-be-former racetrack will be used for housing and possibly for leisure and recreation developments.
The transition will begin in the fall of 2024, with employment assistance and support for horse maintenance and placement.
“For other affected stakeholders, such as STC tenants and livery horse owners, STC will continue to honor its existing contractual obligations,” the statement continued. “The government will also provide a timely update on the land use plans, to ensure sufficient time for affected stakeholders to make the necessary arrangements.”
