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The Star
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Last call at the PTC track to mark the end of a 161-year legacy
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Turf Club (PTC), Malaysia's oldest horse racing institution, has hosted its final race, marking the end of a 161-year legacy. A large crowd of spectators and punters turned up yesterday at the grandstand located in the 81.75ha site in Batu Gantong. Among them was Penangite Ooi Chee Chong, 43, who stepped into the PTC grounds for the first time on what would be its last official race day. 'I've heard stories from my friends and older colleagues about the races here. They used to come here in the 1960s and '70s, dressed in their Sunday best. It wasn't just about the betting for them; it was a big social outing and people came to see and be seen. 'I never had much interest in horse racing until recently. To be honest, I always thought of the turf club as something from the past, something for older people. 'But when I heard it was closing, I felt a strange sense of urgency as I didn't want to let it disappear without seeing it for myself,' he said. Ooi, who works as a factory purchaser, described the atmosphere as unexpectedly moving. 'Even though it's my first time here, you can feel the emotion in the air. You look around and see old timers saying their goodbyes silently and taking selfies at the grandstand. It hits you because this place means a lot to a lot of people. 'It's a bittersweet moment. There's excitement, but also a sense of loss. It's like closing a chapter of our local heritage. 'Once this land is redeveloped, the entire experience will vanish – the turf, the track, the energy, the stories,' he said. A punter, who wanted to be known only as Cheah, 67, said even if horse racing is revived elsewhere in Penang, it would not be the same. 'This place, with its colonial-era clubhouse and old trees, has a certain soul. You can't recreate that in a new venue. 'I'm glad I came here as it feels like I've touched a part of Penang's past, just before it disappears forever,' he added. Seven races were staged as part of the farewell, including the RM250,000 PTC Farewell Trophy (1,300m race), the RM150,000 PTC Memorial Trophy (1,100m race), and the RM100,000 Jockey Club of Turkey Trophy for the 1,400m race. As the sun sets on PTC, the echoes of cheering crowds and thundering hooves will give way to new developments. PTC president Datuk Ong Eng Khuan said, 'It is with a heavy heart that we had to resort to this measure of ceasing racing operations as we have been incurring losses for many years. 'The club has been struggling with fallen attendance, a drastic drop in racing revenue, lack of participation and interest in horse ownership over the years. 'Horse racing, unfortunately, is no longer attracting the big crowds like it did in the 1950s,' he said in a statement. Ong added that although PTC will cease its racing operations, the entity of Penang Turf Club will remain until its full closure. In June last year, PTC members voted overwhelmingly to dissolve the club and sell its prime land. On April 20 this year, the PTC voted unanimously to close following a Special General Meeting. It confirmed the resolutions passed at the First Special General Meeting on June 10, 2024, to dissolve. The land, adjacent to the upscale Taman Jesselton, is estimated to be worth between RM2bil and RM3bil upon conversion to commercial status. However, the transition from recreational to mixed development use is projected to cost about RM1bil. An initial open tender for the entire property concluded without any qualified bids. The club plans to subdivide the land into smaller parcels to attract a broader range of potential buyers. Civil society groups have raised concerns about the proposed rezoning of the PTC land from a green recreational space to a commercial and mixed development area. They said it could lead to irreversible negative impacts on Penang's environment and infrastructure. Established in 1864, the PTC began its journey on a modest parcel of land, granted free, along Macalister Road (now St George's Girls' School), for the purpose of horse racing. It relocated to its present site in 1939. Die-hard racing fans can look to the Perak Turf Club, established in 1886, and the Selangor Turf Club, founded a decade later in 1896, both of which continue to host regular meets for now.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Winning horse kicks, injures handler after last race at Penang Turf Club
GEORGE TOWN: The final race at the Penang Turf Club (PTC) in Batu Gantung here witnessed an incident which saw a horse handler slightly injured. The incident happened after Race 4 — the Special Class 4 - 1,400m. As the winning horse — Contarelli — was being paraded, many people tried to touch the horse. Apparently unsettled by this, the horse kicked out, hitting its handler and sending him to the ground. Medical workers immediately rushed to his aid before he was subsequently wheeled off the field. The horse was then taken off the field. Established in 1864, the PTC officially concluded its operations following a unanimous vote to dissolve what was long considered one of the state's most cherished institutions. To commemorate today's final race day, seven special races were held. Among the highlights were the RM250,000 PTC Farewell Trophy (1,300m), the RM150,000 PTC Memorial Trophy (1,100m), and the RM100,000 Jockey Club of Turkey Trophy (1,400m).
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
A historic goodbye: PTC bids farewell after more than 160 years
GEORGE TOWN: Thousands of spectators flocked to the Penang Turf Club (PTC) in Batu Gantung here today for an emotionally charged final race — marking the end of an era for Malaysian equestrian sport as the country's oldest racing venue closes. While the size of the crowd was typical of a race day at the storied track, the atmosphere was anything but ordinary. At the entrance, patrons were greeted by a large banner which read, "Thank you, loyal patrons" — a poignant farewell to generations of supporters. Many came dressed to the nines, adding a touch of glamour to their final visit to the more than 160-year-old turf club. Smartphones were held aloft throughout the day as visitors captured photos and videos, eager to preserve their last memories of a venue steeped in history. Established in 1864, the Penang Turf Club officially concluded its operations following a unanimous vote to dissolve what was long considered one of the state's most cherished institutions. To commemorate the occasion, seven special races were held. Among the highlights were the RM250,000 PTC Farewell Trophy (1,300m), the RM150,000 PTC Memorial Trophy (1,100m), and the RM100,000 Jockey Club of Turkey Trophy (1,400m). Each race was met with loud cheers and applause, as loyal fans rooted for their favourites one final time. With the closure of the PTC, only two turf clubs remain in Malaysia: the Perak Turf Club, established in 1886, and the Selangor Turf Club, founded in 1896. Today, the PTC bid farewell not just to its patrons, but to a proud legacy that has galloped through generations.
The Star
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
So long, after last furlong
End of an era: Founded in 1864, PTC is the oldest of the three horse-racing clubs in Malaysia. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star GEORGE TOWN: When the horses gallop past the finishing post at 4.25pm in Race 7 at Batu Gantong today, it will mark the end of the final chapter of the 161-year-old Penang Turf Club (PTC). And nobody is more disappointed to see the Sport of Kings end this way than stablehand Paramalingam Veeran. The father-of-two said the club was like his second home as he has been working there all his adult life. 'I feel so sad it has come to this. I do not have any backup plans after taking care of horses for more than 40 years. I really don't know any other work,' he said. Paramalingam added that two horses under his care called 'Big Monkey' and 'Blue Marine' will be racing for the last time at the club today. A PTC permanent staff, who declined to be named, said it's not easy to find another job after committing nearly 20 years of his life to the club. 'I'm already in my mid-50s, and I've enjoyed my time here. But I don't know what the future has in store for me,' he said, adding that he will miss the place. To mark the occasion, the club, which started on a small piece of land in Jalan Macalister (now St George's Girls' School) in 1864, will be holding several commemorative races to bid farewell this afternoon. Among them are the RM250,000 PTC Farewell Trophy (1,300m race), the RM150,000 PTC Memorial Trophy (1,100m race) and the RM100,000 Jockey Club of Turkey Trophy (1,400m race). On April 20, 318 of the 320 ordinary members voted in favour of the club's closure during the extraordinary meeting, confirming the resolutions passed at the First Special General Meeting on June 10, 2024, to dissolve the club. According to PTC, the dissolution process is expected to take one to two years. 'The cessation of racing activities is intended to cut losses, and PTC will notify all relevant parties and authorities about its intention to cease racing on a date decided by the club's committee,' the club had said in a statement. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow recently told the state legislative sitting that any redevelopment of PTC land must follow existing Penang Island City Council (MBPP) planning laws. 'The land is privately owned and zoned as a Priority Development Zone 1 for commercial purposes. 'Any request to change its category or conditions must go through the district land office and state Land and Mines Office,' he said. The land is believed to be held in trust by Tan Sri Goh Eng Toon, Datuk Ong Eng Khuan and Datuk Seri Teh Choon Beng. The combined size of the land is equivalent to 153 football fields, and when including the built structures, is said to be valued at RM2bil to RM3bil. However, PTC has not been able to find a buyer for the land touted to be the largest piece of prime real estate in the state. Meanwhile, the over 600 members of the PTC Golf Section are unhappy with the club's proposed RM7,500 ex-gratia payment to eligible golfing members. The golfers' management committee is appealing for the sum to be increased for the loss of facilities during the closure, including the nine-hole golf course which lies within the turf club area. PTC is the oldest of the three horse-racing clubs in Malaysia. It was initially given a free land grant on Macalister Road for its first racecourse, with the buildings constructed from wood and attap. It then moved to its current location next to the upscale Taman Jesselton Heights in 1939. PTC's closure follows the other turf clubs in the region, which had also ceased horse-racing activities due to declining interest in the sport as well as post-pandemic financial challenges. The Singapore Turf Club held its final race last October, closing a 180-year-old chapter, while Macau Jockey Club shut its doors in April last year. Malaysia is now left with two turf clubs that still offer horse-racing – Perak Turf Club, founded in 1886, and Selangor Turf Club, founded in 1896.
