The city-state of Singapore announced it would demolish a racecourse that had stood for more than 180 years. The Arena will be closed for use as a new housing development. Quoting Bloomberg on Monday (7/10/2024), the Singapore Turf Club held its last race on Saturday last week. After the competition is over, this area will be returned to the government for further eviction as a residential area. The Singapore Turf Club grounds cover more than 120 hectares (300 acres).
The government says that evictions are necessary to ensure there is enough land for future generations. After some preparation, the site should be restored in early 2027. The final race was held under the cloudy sky of the city. The VIP lounge was filled with fans, socialites and expats, while the pitch and betting room below it mostly accommodated the older generation of punters. Muzi Yeni, the South African jockey with the last champion horse from the Smart Star Cross conveyed a deep feeling of loss. “I would like the government to consider it [displacing the racetrack], if I can say so much,” he said in a post-race interview. Although the decision to end horse racing in the city caused a shock among the equestrian and training communities when it was announced last year, the sport is already in decline.
Attendance dropped from a race-day average of 11,000 in 2010 to around 6,000 in 2019, before Covid reduced attendance by more than half. At yesterday’s final game, about 10,000 people attended, only a third of the stadium’s capacity. Younger citizens have migrated to other sports and entertainment. Racing in the city is now dominated by Formula-1 motor racing, which in September drew 270,000 people to the three-day spectacle and concert.