The Singapore Racecourse is a venue for thoroughbred horse racing, situated in Kranji, next to the Kranji MRT station. Built and operated by the Singapore Turf Club (STC), it opened on 4 March 2000, replacing the Bukit Timah Race Course.
 Interactive map of Kranji Racecourse | |
| Location | 1 Turf Club Avenue, Singapore 738078 |
|---|---|
| Owned by | Singapore Turf Club |
| Date opened | 4 March 2000 |
| Date closed | 1 January 2026 |
| Capacity | 30,000 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred, Flat racing |
| Notable races | Singapore Airlines International Cup KrisFlyer International Sprint Singapore Derby Kranji Mile Raffles Cup Singapore Gold Cup Lion City Cup Patrons' Bowl |
| Official website | |
History
editIn 1994, STC appointed a team comprising Indeco Consultants and Ewing Cole Cherry and Brott to design the Kranji Racecourse.[1]
A trial run of the racecourse with 5,000 visitors was done on 31 July and 1 August 1999.[2][3]
On 25 September 1999, Kranji Racecourse hosted its inaugural race, which was also Singapore's first night race.[4][5] However after the first race, which started at 5.30pm SST, was concluded, a power trip caused a power failure, resulting in subsequent races being postponed.[6] President Wee Kim Wee, who was the patron of STC, arrived during the power failure and had to wait outside of the racecourse complex till power was restored.[5] Power was restored after about two hours later and the second race was restarted at 7.50pm.[5] As a result of the delay, the last race which was to be the eighth race for the night was cancelled.[6] STC later said the power trip was due to an electrical fault at four of the 41 light masts around the track.[6]
In January 2023, it was announced that the site of the racecourse will be returned to the government for redevelopment by March 2027.[7] The final horse race, held on 5 October 2024, saw 10,000 attendees.[8] The first home in the new residential neighbourhood at the site of the racecourse is expected to be ready by 2035.[9] Development of a detailed plan for the site will begin in 2026.[10]
Features
editThe racecourse covered 124 hectares has a capacity of 30,000 spectators with a five-storey grandstand.[7][11] The main racetrack is 31m wide and 2,000m long on the long course and turfed with El Toro-Zoysia grass.[12]
It also has 41 light masts, allowing night races to be conducted at the racecourse.[7]
Transport
editKranji MRT station is linked to the race course by a sheltered walkway.[13] Designed to accommodate crowds visiting STC during race events, Kranji station is the largest station on the Woodlands Extension. The 1,300 m2 (14,000 sq ft) concourse level is three times larger than those at other stations with many fare gates to allow efficient crowd flow. The station has twice the number of escalators and stairs (four escalators and two stairs) and the direction of the escalators could be varied depending on the crowd flow.[13]
References
edit- ↑ Rashiwala, Kaipana (10 December 1994). "Turf Club appoints design team for Kranji racecourse". The Straits Times. p. 48. Retrieved 27 June 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
- ↑ Tay, Cheng Koon (15 July 1999). "Punters, on your marks". The Straits Times. p. 48. Retrieved 27 June 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
- ↑ Tan, Tean Loon (1 August 1999). "Kranji course 'beyond expectation'". The New Paper. p. 57. Retrieved 27 June 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
- ↑ Miller, Brian (26 September 1999). "What a night". The New Paper. p. 4.
- 1 2 3 Robert, Godfrey (26 September 1999). "Night racing hit by power failure". The Straits Times. p. 44.
- 1 2 3 Tan, Tean Loon (26 September 1999). "Power failure mars big night". The New Paper. p. 45. Retrieved 27 June 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
- 1 2 3 Goh, Yan Han (5 June 2023). "S'pore Turf Club to close Kranji racecourse by March 2027 to make way for housing, other uses". The Straits Times. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ Kwek, Kimberly (5 October 2024). "Thousands gather to witness final horse races at Singapore Turf Club". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ Ng, Keng Gene (17 August 2025). "NDR 2025: First homes at former Kranji racecourse to be ready in about 10 years, says PM Wong". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 August 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ Ng, Keng Gene (1 December 2025). "Detailed plans for Kranji racecourse housing estate to be sought through tender in 2026". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 December 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ "Singapore Turf Club: A lookback, through the archives". CNA. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ "FAST FACTS OF KRANJI RACECOURSE". The New Paper. 16 July 1999. p. 58. Retrieved 27 June 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
- 1 2 "Kranji MRT station to handle race crowds". The Straits Times. 1 June 1995. p. 22.