With our beginnings dating back to 1842, Singapore Turf Club (STC) is best known as Singapore’s oldest and only horse racing club, equipped with world-class equine facilities. But beyond the horses and the races, we also have a long history of engaging with the community.
Our community efforts have expanded and evolved over the years, taking us directly into the community. Through close collaboration with partners, we engage the wider community to support a range of social causes and bring the community to our grounds.
We pride ourselves on being a destination for racing, sports and recreation that brings fun and excitement to Singaporeans across all age groups and all walks of life. To strengthen community ties, we regularly open our doors to social and community groups, co-creating events spanning from sports to music and art as well as festivities and celebrations.
We also help to rally community participation in these initiatives and encourage the involvement of our employees. With our strong culture of community service, our team has been active in volunteering their time and resources to community efforts.
Our aim: to create value by promoting social cohesion and helping communities embrace greater diversity and inclusivity in Singapore.
As we approach the end of the year, here’s a round-up of some of our most notable efforts to engage the community.
Supporting Persons with Special Needs through Sports
Our vast 124-hectare space and unique facilities allow us to connect, co-create and host exciting activities with our community partners, including groups which support Persons with Special Needs (PWSNs).
Taking our outreach to the next level, we have announced a partnership with Runninghour, an inclusive sports co-operative that promotes the integration of PWSNs through sports, to jointly build an inclusive Singapore.
We have opened our space and lent our resources to Runninghour’s cause. With direct access to our facilities and pool of STC volunteers, they are now able to introduce more inclusive sports and outdoor wellness initiatives for PWSNs, including monthly Zumba classes and brisk walking activities at STC.
Mr Lim Chiap Song, Head of Community Engagement and Partnerships, Singapore Turf Club (left)
and Mr John See Toh, Chairperson, Runninghour Co-Operative Limited shake hands to mark the new partnership.
Most recently, Runninghour’s annual signature event, Run for Inclusion 2022 returned for its eighth edition as a physical event at the Club on 3 December, graced by Guest-of-Honour, President Halimah Yacob. In lending support to the cause, we formed a 170-strong employee and family contingent who participated in the race and served as race day volunteers at the event attended by over 2,000 participants.
In commemoration of our 180th anniversary, the Club donated $32,400 to Runninghour ($180 x 180 kilometres).
Ms Irene MK Lim, President and Chief Executive of Singapore Turf Club (right), presents a cheque of $32,400
to Mr John See Toh, Chairman of Runninghour Co-Operative Limited; the cheque presentation was witnessed by President Halimah Yacob.
President Halimah Yacob receives a token of appreciation featuring a specially handcrafted horseshoe
from Ms Irene MK Lim, President and Chief Executive of Singapore Turf Club.
Reaching out to the Younger Generation
In addition to engaging the PWSNs community via inclusive activities, the Club is also focused on reaching out to youths within our community. One such initiative includes opening our space to the inaugural MYBeats Music Festival, the first large scale festival for youths in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, on 26 November.
Organised by Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC Grassroots Organisations (GROs), the event was a refreshing way to connect with the younger generation through music and the arts. Festival-goers were treated to a laidback night under the stars with performances by homegrown artists from across different music genres and styles, a curated selection of food and beverage vendors and other fringe activities.
Hosted by Mediacorp 987 FM’s DJ, Sonia Chew, the festival was graced by Advisers to Marsiling-Yew Tee GROs.
The inaugural MYBeats Music Festival was held at STC and featured live performances by local artistes
such as ALYPH, Keyana, ShiGGa Shay, Supersonic and The Cold Cut Duo.
From left: Adviser for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC (Woodgrove), Ms Hany Soh; Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower, Mr Zaqy Mohamad;
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong; and Mayor of North West District, Mr Alex Yam.
Bringing Cheer to the Wider Community
Aside from being a destination for racing, sports and recreation that brings joy and cheer to Singaporeans across all communities, we pride ourselves on being a progressive member of the community that regularly embraces initiatives that strengthen community ties. With a deep partnership with Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC GROs, our efforts are amplified as we continue to conduct outreach programmes that enrich and engage the wider community.
This year, we collaborated with All Hearts and Runninghour for the inaugural AimY Family Sports Carnival at our Parade Ring. This inclusive event, a part of National Day celebrations, was aligned with the theme “Stronger Together, Majulah! - encouraging Singaporeans to forge ahead as a united and strong people towards a better future.
Carnival-goers got to enjoy special performances and experienced seven different sports game stations and other fun activities that included laser tag, unseen soccer boccia and horseshoe hydro dipping.
Ms Hany Soh, Adviser for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC (Woodgrove) was part of the inaugural AimY Family Sports Carnival
at the Parade Ring at STC.
A participant learning how to hydro dip a horseshoe.
Beyond STC, the Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre (STCRC) has also been working hard on expanding our community outreach. By leveraging on our unique equine experiences, the Riding Centre engaged the underserved community by spreading cheer to Club Rainbow beneficiaries and their families. STCRC, Corporate Alliance for Good (CAforGood) and Club Rainbow collaborated to organise a series of family days at STCRC. The STCRC team hosted more than 30 equine-centric tours and horse riding sessions for over 600 Club Rainbow beneficiaries.
This was kickstarted by CAforGood’s “DO GOOD TOGETHER” initiative which gathered public donations of unused SingapoRediscovers Vouchers and channelled them to the underserved in the community. The Club Rainbow beneficiaries had the unique opportunity to embark on behind-the-scenes stable tours, enjoy feeding and grooming as well as horse riding at STCRC.
Club Rainbow beneficiaries enjoying horse riding and grooming experiences at STCRC.
In addition, STCRC had partnered Healing Horses to offer an Equine Wellness Programme, as part of Singapore Tourism Board’s Wellness Festival Singapore.
Embracing Greater Diversity and Inclusivity in Singapore
As we celebrate 180 years of racing, sports and recreation, watch this space for even more meaningful community partnerships and initiatives from us as we continue to engage with the community in 2023 and beyond!
Learn more about STC here and our community engagement efforts here.
December 2022
