Bukit Timah Race Course
The Bukit Timah Race Course was a venue for Thoroughbred horse racing in the Bukit Timah area of Singapore. Built by the Bukit Timah Turf Club, it was opened on 15 April 1933 by the Sir Cecil Clementi, Governor of Singapore.[1] There was no racing from 1941 through 1946 as a result of World War II.
During its sixty-six years, Bukit Timah Race Course was visited by numerous Singapore and foreign dignitaries including a 1972 visit by racing fan a Thoroughbred owner, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and Princess Anne. In honor of her visit, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup was established.
In 1959 the Singapore Derby was revived at Bukit Timah Race Course and was the feature race on its final day of operation on 25 July 1999. It was closed to make way for Kranji Racecourse.
Turf City[edit]
Turf City was opened in 1999 with a 10-year lease until 2010. Its first tenant was Singapore Agro Agricultural (SAA). SLA wanted this tenant to extend its lease until 1 March 2012. By this time, SH Cogent (Cogent Land Capital) took over the Turf City portion and several shops had been closed and demolished. Turf City was renamed 'The Grandstand' and opened after upgrading in July 2012.[2]
As connectivity was poor until 2015, shuttle buses were originally provided from Toa Payoh or Clementi. After that, connections were provided from Botanic Gardens or Sixth Avenue. The Bukit Timah Race Course area was shut down in 2023 to make way for future development, including the MRT station at the former Turf City and a mix of public and private homes.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ "Charting the history of Singapore Turf Club: From 1842 to the home stretch". The Straits Times. 6 June 2023. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Turf City renamed The Grandstand". Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
- ^ Ng, Keng Gene (25 May 2024). "New HDB flats prevent further entrenchment of Bukit Timah as private home enclave: Experts". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. Retrieved 25 May 2024.