Horse racing is often controversial.
Animal welfare issues, cruelty, "wastage" and deaths from race falls are frequent topics - but the sport generates millions of dollars.
Singapore, which has hosted horse racing for two centuries, has, however, decided enough is enough.
The Singapore Turf Club will close its doors in October and racing will end after being a popular pastime since British Colonial days 180 years ago. It was founded in 1842.
The course will be used for public housing as the Singapore Government says housing needs are greater than the need for people to see horses being whipped for entertainment.
"Singapore is a city state with limited land,” the Finance and National Development ministries said in a media statement.
The Turf Club was in the past popular with visitors, expats and locals. It was visited by Queen Elizabeth II at its previous Bukit Timah location.
The current course is at Kranji, near the Woodlands district adjacent to the causeway overlooking Malaysia. The 124- hectare Kranji grounds opened in 1999.
Singapore, which has hosted horse racing for two centuries, has, however, decided enough is enough.
The Singapore Turf Club will close its doors in October and racing will end after being a popular pastime since British Colonial days 180 years ago. It was founded in 1842.
The course will be used for public housing as the Singapore Government says housing needs are greater than the need for people to see horses being whipped for entertainment.
"Singapore is a city state with limited land,” the Finance and National Development ministries said in a media statement.
The Turf Club was in the past popular with visitors, expats and locals. It was visited by Queen Elizabeth II at its previous Bukit Timah location.
The current course is at Kranji, near the Woodlands district adjacent to the causeway overlooking Malaysia. The 124- hectare Kranji grounds opened in 1999.
Horse racing started to gradually lose its appeal about a decade ago when Singapore got its first casino, Travel Mole reported.
Spectator numbers have fallen by about half since 2010 and the pandemic closure also took its toll.
Spectator numbers have fallen by about half since 2010 and the pandemic closure also took its toll.
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