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New Paper
31-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Penang's farewell Saluted in style
The final chapter in the rich history of the 161-year-old Penang Turf Club (PNTC) was closed on May 31, in front of a big turnout. A larger than usual crowd of around 3,000 - three times the average attendance - turned up at the Batu Gantong track to mark their presence at the historic but sad day for racing fans. Plagued by plummeting turnover and attendances, the PNTC becomes the second Malayan Racing Association turf club to bow out, after the Singapore Turf Club on Oct 5, leaving only the Selangor Turf Club and Perak Turf Club. Asian neighbour, the Macau Jockey Club, also closed its doors on April 1, 2024, unable to square its ledger as well. After four out of five Penang meetings were cancelled in 2025 (before May 31, the only meeting that went ahead was on March 8) due to the perennial reason of insufficient numbers, many hoped the finale would not fall prey to the same logistics concerns. But the Malaysian racing fraternity rallied round in force. With trainers and owners from Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh pledging support by sending up their horses, the PNTC was able to honour its word to not go out without offering its patrons one last treat. Seven races were programmed, with the highlight being the RM250,000 (S$76,000) Penang Turf Club Farewell Trophy, a Special Rapid Stakes A over 1,300m that garnered many top-drawer gallopers, such as Pacific Vampire, Antipodean, Super Salute, Gamestonks, Cheval Blanc and Noah Khan, to name a few. Though three horses were scratched - the Frank Maynard pair of Cheval Blanc and Circuit Mission and Richard Lim's Faithful Leader - a capacity field of 14 still faced the starter, given all three Emergency Acceptors were available - Pacific Padrino, Streets Of Fire and Shirvo. In the end, it was former Singapore Group 2 EW Barker Trophy winner Super Salute ($42) who grabbed the honours after taking the shortest way home along the rails for jockey Khaw Choon Kit to reel in favourite Pacific Vampire (Jerlyn Seow) en route to glory. Sivan Veerapen was proud to be the winning trainer of the last feature race at a place he not only holds fond memories of with many winners, both as a trainer and a jockey, but also for sentimental reasons. "I was born and bred in Penang. That's where I began my racing career as a jockey," said the 60-year-old, who is based at the Selangor Turf Club. "I last came here in December for the Penang Gold Cup meeting and five months later, Penang has already changed so much. There has been much land reclaimed and I even saw a new bridge. "As for today's feature race, I had planned that race for Super Salute. Put it this way, he is one class above the rest, but he also has some issues with his back. "He can be inconsistent, but he's now come right. I wasn't worried about his 59.5kg as I think he can carry 65kg at his best. "I just told Khaw not to rush him, he'll finish strongly - and he did." However, it was the last actual race - and understandably so - that felt more like the real final lap of honour. Without taking anything away from Super Salute, who certainly deserved accolades for his resounding win, Lucky Magic (Shafiq Rizuan) was greeted to an even more rapturous reception, led by trainer Winson Cheng Han Yong - complete with some tears of joy and a custom-made farewell sash. The fairy-tale ending of sorts could not have been scripted any better. Fittingly, Lucky Magic is also the winner of Penang's last classic, the Group 1 Penang Gold Cup (2,000m) in December, and Cheng is, just like Sivan, a hometown boy. "As a Penang boy, I'm so proud I won the last race in my hometown," said Cheng. "I targeted two wins and both horses, Graphjet Express and Lucky Magic won. We were so happy with my owners and friends, and even had a farewell banner. "But at the same time, we can't do anything about it (the closure). I'm sad I won't be coming here to race any more, as I would then visit my mum. "Of course, I'll still visit her, but I'll definitely miss the races here." manyan@
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
As global horse racing declines, Selangor Turf Club fights to stay in the saddle
KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Once the crown jewel of the sporting world, horse racing now stands as a shadow of its former glory. Globally, storied turf clubs are shutting down, plagued by illegal betting, dwindling spectators, and generational shifts in interest. Singapore's Turf Club, one of Asia's oldest, is set to close in 2027, with its last race held in October 2023. Macau's operations ceased in April, while Thailand's Royal Turf Club in Bangkok was demolished in 2018. Closer to home, Malaysia's Penang Turf Club recently announced its inability to sustain itself. Yet, in Selangor, a vestige of this old world endures. Nestled off the highway in Sungai Besi, the Selangor Turf Club (STC), founded in 1896, stands tall as Malaysia's last premier racecourse. A recent weekend visit revealed haunting silence. Barely 200 to 300 punters trickled in throughout the afternoon. Once-bustling VIP enclosures, previously frequented by the country's elite, sat almost empty. Betting counters stood idle, televisions flickered quietly, and muted conversations filled the air. Still, STC breathes history. Selangor Turf Club before a race begins. — Pictures by Yusof Mat Isa A place of prestige From royalty to rockstars, the Selangor Turf Club has hosted international and Malaysian high society. The club's prestige was cemented when Queen Elizabeth II visited in the 1980s, a nod to horse racing's aristocratic roots. In 2001, football legend Sir Alex Ferguson also made headlines with his visit. More recently, in 2024, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters became the latest dignitary to walk through its gates, underscoring the club's diplomatic and cultural significance. STC is more than just a sporting venue. Through its flagship charity race, the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor, the club's 'A Heart for Charity' initiative has channeled funds into numerous community programmes. These range from disaster relief in Japan and Indonesia to supporting Malaysian NGOs. Additionally, STC operates Malaysia's most accessible public equestrian facility, runs the National Equine Hospital, and houses the country's only Apprentice Jockey School, nurturing young talent often from rural east coast towns where riding ponies is second nature. A sport losing its spark As regional turf clubs fall like dominoes, STC is positioning itself as Southeast Asia's central pillar for horse racing. 'The closure of several regional racecourses has brought STC into the limelight, positioning it as the premier racecourse in Southeast Asia and the fourth in Asia. This has opened up a significant opportunity for growth,' said STC chairman Tan Sri Richard Cham Hak Lim. The grandstand, once filled with thousands of spectators on weekends, now sits largely empty. — Picture by R. Loheswar Horse owners and trainers displaced from Singapore and Macau are now stabling their horses in Selangor and Perak. Currently, STC hosts over 800 horses, with more expected as the club cements its reputation as a safe haven in the shrinking industry. In 2025, STC plans to host 55 races, including the Selangor Mile in July, featuring a RM1 million prize — Malaysia's richest race for four-year-olds. Monthly feature races now offer prize money exceeding RM100,000, with a total purse of RM31 million allocated for 2025. 'This substantial increase not only provides greater incentives for participation but also demonstrates confidence in the future of the sport,' Cham added. A dedicated viewing platform allows punters to get up close with the horses as they are paraded before the race. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa Modernising for the future To rejuvenate the sport, STC has forged alliances with leading bloodstock agencies, including Magic Millions and New Zealand Bloodstock. In 2024, local owners and trainers imported a record 41 horses from New Zealand, valued at nearly NZD$2.2 million (RM5.58 million). STC is also introducing a Community Horse Project, importing up to 100 yearlings annually for training and racing under a separate programme with bonus incentives for three- and four-year-olds. On the tech front, the club has adopted the Quantum™ tote engine, enabling international commingling and larger global betting pools. Plans are underway to convert Track 2 into a Polytrack for year-round racing, and STC is exploring solar energy adoption to enhance sustainability. The Kuala Lumpur skyline provides a stunning backdrop to the Selangor Turf Club racetrack. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa A fragile but fighting legacy Despite its ambitious vision, STC faces steep challenges, including illegal betting, regulatory inertia, and shifting audience habits. 'Attendance has dropped significantly, and revenue has plummeted, putting immense strain on operations,' said Perak Turf Club chairman Datuk John Lim, as reported by Malay Mail. A victorious jockey celebrates with his team at the Selangor Turf Club. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa In response, STC is upgrading its facilities and hosting lifestyle-themed events like Ladies' Day and Merdeka Day celebrations to attract a younger audience. A collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur Jockey Club aims to transform public enclosures into modern lounge spaces. 'We want to offer a more elevated experience and move beyond the image of racing as just gambling,' said Cham. 'It's about creating an atmosphere that's luxurious, vibrant, and inclusive.' Recommended reading: Perak Turf Club's bold RM6m makeover aims to revive its glory days for a new generation From racehorses to retail: Perak Turf Club's stables get second life as Asia's first 'stable market'
New Paper
18-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Mahadi reaps instant reward
KUALA LUMPUR - Mahadi Taib might have waited for months for his work permit to come through in Malaysia, but the Singaporean trainer hit pay dirt when his first runner in Kuala Lumpur got on the scoresheet on May 17. Purchased for just A$2,000 (S$1,665) at the Inglis 2021 July (Late) online sale and ran unplaced in two runs for Mahadi in Singapore, Genrich came from just off the pace to score a 1¾-length victory at his fifth Malaysian start in the RM38,000 (S$11,500) Class 5A sprint (1,020m) at Sungai Besi. After the son of Your Song last ran ninth in a Restricted Maiden race (1,400m) at Kranji on July 30, 2023, he suffered from tendon issues and had to be backed off. After racing in Singapore came to a halt in October 2024, Genrich was one of the horses Mahadi brought over when he relocated to the capital of Malaysia. But, with the approval of his work permit being held up, Genrich had to come under Malaysian trainer Ooi Chin Chin's care for the time being. The four-year-old gelding raced four times and finished fourth twice under Ooi. After Mahadi had his work permit approved about two weeks ago, Genrich was transferred back to his yard and won a trial on April 29 before his race at Mahadi's first meeting in Malaysia on May 17. Though the former syce currently trains 15 horses, Genrich was his only runner at the meeting. Ridden by Lim Shung Uai, Genrich ($54) jumped from barrier 7 and settled in fourth with Banker'sseventytwo (Harmeet Singh Gill) setting a brisk pace from Give Me Five (Uzair Sharudin) and Sacred Order (Andre da Silva). Genrich moved up swiftly to second spot upon making the turn into the straight. The Fabulous Stable-owned gelding kept closing in behind the leader at the 300m before finally sprinting past Banker'sseventytwo at the 100m to win. Pacific Stout (Laercio de Souza) ran another 1¼ lengths away in third. The winning time was 59.04sec for the 1,020m on the turf. "I am happy to get my first win with my first runner," said Mahadi, who has worked with various trainers in Singapore before getting his trainer's licence in 2022. "I am especially happy because this horse (Genrich) had tendon issues after his last race in Singapore and could not race for some time. "This horse has settled down a lot since he wore blinkers-pacifiers, so I might step him up to 1,200m next, run him a bit quieter than before and see how he goes from there. "The work permit took quite some time and it was only approved about two weeks ago I think, but I would like to thank the Selangor Turf Club for helping me." Although Mahadi did not have a runner at the Kuala Lumpur meeting on May 18, things are still up and running with more of his horses to be fielded in the two-meeting weekend in Malaysia next week. "I will run Top Confidence in a 1,300m race in Ipoh next Saturday, and then Good Star and Leiniao over 1,200m in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday," he said. The Ipoh meeting would be held on May 24 while the Selangor meeting would take place on May 25. Lim, who was at his third ride on Genrich, said patience was the key to the horse's first career win in Malaysia. "Mahadi told me to ride patiently. I could see that the pace was very fast so I only made my move passing the 600m," said the Malaysian jockey. "I rode him in a trial recently. He won his trial so I was quite confident of a win today." French jockey Marc Lerner booted home his first winner atop the Simon Dunderdale-trained Thunderous in the RM45,000 Open Novice event (1,400m) on May 17 at his first long-term stint in Malaysia. After sitting on the girth of the leader Sakura (Mohd Zaki) for most parts of the way, Lerner made his move on the Written Tycoon four-year-old at the 400m. Night Warrior (de Souza) was gaining momentum with every stride on the outside, but Thunderous ($13) kept finding under Lerner's strong urgings and opened his account by 1¼ lengths. Lerner, former partner of Singapore champion galloper Lim's Kosciuszko - who ran a creditable third first-up in the Listed Straight Six (1,200m) at Flemington on May 17 - went on to score another win aboard the Joseph Leck-trained Wait U Know ($23) in the RM32,000 Class 5B event (1,300m) on May 18. After posting four wins at his three previous short-term visits to Malaysia, Lerner has decided to base himself in Selangor after his last stint in New Zealand. Another ex-Kranji jockey, Oscar Chavez, landed his first Malaysian winner in 2025 with the Jerome Tan-trained Ahone ($32) in the RM32,000 Class 5 contest (1,020m) at his second meeting on May 18, after coming close with two thirds from seven rides earlier. The Panamanian-born hoop, who picked up two placings from five rides at Sungai Besi on May 17, last rode in Abu Dhabi on Feb 28. SELANGOR TURF CLUB/TURFONLINE
