5 October 2024
SINGAPORE TURF CLUB CELEBRATES 182 YEARS OF HORSE RACING HERITAGE WITH GRAND SINGAPORE GOLD CUP
Racegoers experienced a journey through time with a series of commemorative races, a special photo exhibition and heritage walk celebrating Singapore’s storied racing history
The Singapore Turf Club (STC) celebrated 182 years of horse racing heritage in Singapore today, as it staged the Grand Singapore Gold Cup (SGC). The historic race meeting served as the culminating event of STC’s homestretch celebrations and was a testament to the Club's illustrious legacy as the home of horse racing in Singapore. Speaker of Parliament Mr Seah Kian Peng was the Guest of Honour and presented prizes to the winning connections of the Grand SGC.
About 10,000 people attended the event at the Kranji Racecourse, including those who obtained complimentary tickets, purchased hospitality packages or were invited guests of the Club.
COMMEMORATIVE RACES OFFER A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
Held from 11:00am to 6:00pm, the Grand SGC race meeting was a race experience like none other. Racegoers were taken on a historic journey through time from 1842 to present day, with a total of 10 exhilarating races. There were 148 entries competing across the 10 races, with a prize pool totalling more than $2 million.
Each of the races commemorated a significant milestone in Singapore’s racing history. From the William Henry Macleod Read Cup that marked the Club’s founding as the Singapore Sporting Club in 1842, through the Magdalene Tan Cup named after the legendary jockey who redefined the sport by becoming the first female local jockey in our nation’s history in 1994, to the hotly anticipated Grand SGC. With a prize purse raised from $1 million to $1.38 million, the Grand SGC featured top local horses aged 3 and above and was a 2,000m test of skill and endurance for competitors.
Ten distinguished prize presenters were carefully curated to match the identity and significance of each race, complementing the excitement and heritage each represented. (Please see Appendix for full list of races and prize presenters). There were also special video tributes that preceded each contest, capturing key moments in the nation’s provenance in horse racing.
A CELEBRATION OF BOTH PAST AND PRESENT EMPLOYEES
One of the main highlights of the day was the ‘Singapore Turf Club Trophy’, a race dedicated to all STC employees past and present and named through a vote by the current staff. The race celebrated their resilience, spirit of innovation, unity in purpose and quest for excellence as they helped write the nation’s horse racing history. The event also brought together the families of STC employees, who were specially invited to attend the Grand SGC.
Ms Irene MK Lim, President and Chief Executive of Singapore Turf Club said, ‘Today, we celebrated Singapore’s 182-year horse racing heritage and, most importantly, the dedicated employees who built Singapore Turf Club’s legacy. Their passion and commitment have shaped this historic moment. It’s a proud and fitting tribute to honour them as we create lasting memories with the people of Singapore. May the spirit of this legacy inspire generations to come.’
‘CAPTURING OUR BEAUTY’ PHOTO COMPETITION EXHIBITION AND HERITAGE WALK
In celebrating STC’s rich heritage, racegoers were also able to visit a specially curated photo exhibition showcasing the winning entries of STC’s ‘Capturing Our Beauty’ photo competition from the public, as well as a special STC employee competition named, ‘Capturing our Beauty – Employee Edition’. The gallery features 18 stunning images across three categories: Architecture, Flora and Fauna and Racing. Over 200 entries were received for the competition, with a majority of entries from the public who took part in the photo walks organised by STC, which aimed to engage the wider community through the medium of photography, enable them to learn about the Club’s heritage and be retold through their lenses.
One of the winners, Mr Travis Lee, said, ‘It’s surprising news for me! I’m really happy about it. It’s my very first win in an official photo competition so this gives me much encouragement to go out there and continue to snap photos and hone my craft. Many thanks to the Singapore Turf Club for this photo competition and for the opportunity to go on the photo walks, which was one of my first few visits to the Club. It will remain very much a part of Singapore’s heritage.’
Racegoers are also able to experience the ultimate edition of STC’s Heritage Walks showcasing the feature races of historical significance: Kranji Mile, Singapore Derby, Queen Elizabeth II and Grand SGC. With informational panels in English and Chinese, the Heritage Walk provided an immersive experience of STC’s rich history, highlighting major races and milestones.
To view a selection of photos from the event and to watch the post-event video, please visit the Club’s social media pages and website.
STC Website: turfclub.com.sg/grand-singapore-gold-cup-2024
STC Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/singaporeturfclub/
STC TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@singaporeturfclub
STC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SingaporeTurfClub/
STC YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@SingaporeTurfClub/
Appendix 1 – Grand Singapore Gold Cup: List of Races and Prize Presenters
Click here for mobile view of list of races and prize presenters.
|
RACE NAME |
ABOUT THE RACE | YEAR |
PRIZE PRESENTER |
Race 1 |
William Henry Macleod Read Cup |
Paying homage to the man who birthed the sport in Singapore, William Henry Macleod Read. The Scottish merchant founded Singapore Sporting Club on 4 October 1842. | 1842 |
British High Commissioner, Nikesh Mehta OBE |
Race 2 |
Colonel Cup |
A tribute to The Colonel, the first winning horse at Singapore’s first official race meeting on 23 February 1843 at Farrer Park Racecourse. | 1843 |
Winning Sculptor for STC 1999 Open Art Competition, Ong Kok Peng |
Race 3 |
Singapore Turf Club Trophy |
In 1924, Singapore Sporting Club changed its name to Singapore Turf Club – marking a new era for the sport. Current employees voted on the name of the race, an acknowledgement of STC’s multigenerational employee family. |
1924 |
STC President and Chief Executive, Irene MK Lim |
Race 4 |
Yong Thau Yin Cup |
A name that shines brightly in our legacy, the one trainer that broke the western-dominated field in 1948. Yong Thau Yin was a pioneer who was the first local to be granted a trainer’s licence in 1948. He proceeded to win trainer championship in the 1950s. He is the father of WWII heroine and well-regarded educator, the late Elizabeth Choy. | 1948 |
Great Grandsons of Yong Thau Yin, Vernon Yong and Andrew Yong |
Race 5 |
Abdul Mawi Cup |
Abdul Mawi was the first local jockey to win the Grand Singapore Gold Cup in 1958. Celebrated by the nation and ushering an exciting chapter for local horse racing, he amassed more than 600 victories in his 24 years of racing. His accomplishments continue to inspire generations to come, a symbol of the nation’s spirit of perseverance, resilience and pursuit of excellence. | 1958 |
Tote Board Chief Executive, Tan Choon Shian |
Race 6 |
Magdalene Tan Cup |
One legendary jockey who redefined the sport in 1994 was Magdalene Tan. She was the first female local jockey in our nation’s history and was an electrifying force on the tracks with 35 career wins to her name. The trailblazer, now a race presenter with Selangor Turf Club, continues to embody the spirit of excellence in the male-dominated world of horse racing. | 1994 |
First Local Female Jockey, Magdalene Tan |
Race 7 |
Red Numbers Cup |
Red Numbers is one of seven artworks commissioned in 1999 for the opening of Kranji Racecourse. Created by Cultural Medallion recipient and educator Vincent Leow, the iconic piece greets racegoers who come through the Kranji MRT Station. As an active community member, Singapore Turf Club has long supported charities and artists and has opened its doors for community events over the years. | 1999 |
Creator of 'Red Numbers', Vincent Leow |
Race 8 |
S.R. Nathan Cup |
The sixth and longest-serving President of Singapore, the late S R Nathan presided over the official opening the Kranji Racecourse on 4 March 2000. | 2000 |
Singapore Pools Chairman, Kaikhushru S. Nargolwala |
Race 9 |
Rocket Man Cup |
Rocket Man is Singapore’s best-known equine celebrity, who became the first and only Singapore-based galloper to win an international race at the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in 2011 – a figurative rocket on the racetracks. In honour of this world-famous Singapore sprinter, the ninth race and penultimate contest before the Grand SGC is a tribute to our undefeated champion on local soil. | 2011 |
Tote Board Chairman, Mildred Tan |
Race 10 |
Grand Singapore Gold Cup |
The Grand Singapore Gold Cup is not merely a race: It stands as a magnificent testament to our rich sporting legacy. First inaugurated as the Singapore Gold Cup on 18 October 1924 at the Farrer Park Racecourse, its 2024 Speaker of Parliament, Seah Kian Peng status was elevated when it was staged at the Kranji Racecourse with a prize purse increased to a staggering $1 million, attracting international contenders to compete on our shores. The 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup will be a historic race meeting, serving as the culminating event of the Club’s homestretch celebrations and a testament to the Club's illustrious legacy. |
2024 |
Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, Seah Kian Peng |
Appendix 2 – Official Translations
| RACE NAME | PRIZE PRESENTER | |
| Race 1 | William Henry Macleod Read Cup 威廉·亨利·李德杯 |
British High Commissioner, Nikesh Mehta OBE 英国驻新加坡最高专员 梅塔 |
| Race 2 | Colonel Cup “上校”杯 |
Winning Sculptor for STC 1999 Open Art Competition, Ong Kok Peng 马会1999公开艺术比赛胜出雕塑家 王国平 |
| Race 3 | Singapore Turf Club Trophy 新加坡赛马公会锦标 |
STC President and Chief Executive, Irene MK Lim 马会总裁兼首席执行官 林美娇 |
| Race 4 | Yong Thau Yin Cup 杨道仁杯 |
Great Grandsons of Yong Thau Yin, Vernon Yong and Andrew Yong 杨道仁两位曾孙 杨国耀医生 杨国樑 |
| Race 5 | Abdul Mawi Cup 阿都马威杯 |
Tote Board Chief Executive, Tan Choon Shian 新加坡赛马博彩管理局局长 陈俊祥 |
| Race 6 | Magdalene Tan Cup 陈美玲杯 |
First Local Female Jockey, Magdalene Tan 本地首位女骑师 陈美玲 |
| Race 7 | Red Numbers Cup 红数字杯 |
Cultural Medallion Recipient, Vincent Leow 文化奖得主 廖芳炎博士 |
| Race 8 | S. R. Nathan Cup 塞拉潘·纳丹杯 |
Singapore Pools Chairman, Kaikhushru Shiavax Nargolwala 新加坡博彩公司主席 南凯英 |
| Race 9 | Rocket Man Cup “火箭人”杯 |
Tote Board Chairman, Mildred Tan 新加坡赛马博彩管理局主席 沈明媚 |
| Race 10 | Grand Singapore Gold Cup 新加坡金杯大奖赛 |
Speaker of Parliament of Singapore, Seah Kian Peng 新加坡国会议长 谢健平 |
About Singapore Turf Club
Founded in 1842, Singapore Turf Club (STC) is Singapore’s only horse racing club. A destination that has consistently been reinventing experiences and bringing fun and excitement to the communities, STC’s sprawling 124-hectare Kranji grounds features world-class horse-racing tracks and a splendid Grandstand. It can support both large-scale and intimate sporting competitions and lifestyle events. A proprietary club of the Tote Board, STC’s focus is on cultivating horse racing as a prestige sport and creating a first-class horse-racing community in Singapore with integrity and professionalism. STC is also a learning hub for specialised equestrian skills and a provider of impeccable stabling, horse training and horse-event support. For more information about STC, please visit www.turfclub.com.sg.
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