When it was first formed in 1842, the Singapore Turf Club was called the Singapore Sporting Club. A year later, the first race took place on its race grounds and price money consisted of just S$150. In 1927, the club sold its premises and bought part of the Bukit Timah Rubber Estate, where the new racecourse was set up and Club's name changed to Bukit Turf Club. Since its establishment, only members and owners were allowed to attend races. But 1960 onwards, members of the public were allowed to attend the races as well. A year later, cross betting was introduced between the Singapore Turf Club and three other clubs in Malaysia.

In 1981, major developments took place. The North Grandstand was built to accommodate 50,000 people in the two stands. Race goers in Singapore were able to watch races live from Malaysia, thanks to the microwave link, which was established between the two centres. Female jockeys were granted licenses for the first time to ride on the local turf. The first ever million dollar race - the A$1 million-dollar Argyle Diamonds Singapore Magic Millions Classic, was held at the club in 1993 and a year later the club's name was changed to Singapore Turf Club. In 1999, the club was moved to Kranji.

The racecourse at Kranji occupies a land area of 81.2 hectares and includes the Grandstand, Parade Ring, Horsewalk, Modern Stables, the Racing Track and the Training Tracks. The four-storey Grandstand can accommodate up to 30,000 people and consists of the Gold Card room, Owner's Lounge, @ Hibiscus and Corporate Boxes. The Parade Ring is from where the public can enjoy unobstructed views of the horses and it also has a large outdoor screen. Linked to the Parade Ring is the Horsewalk that is a glass-sided entrance through which horses enter the main track. Around 1,000 horses can be accommodated in the air-conditioned or naturally ventilated stalls at the Modern Stables.

Today prize money at the races start at $200, 000 and can go up to $1,350, 000, depending on the race. The $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup was inaugurated in 2000 and was accorded International Group 1 status in 2001 by the International Cataloguing Standards Committee. Included in the prestigious World Series Racing Championship, the Singapore Airlines International Cup is among Asia's richest horse races. For race enthusiasts who could not make it to the race grounds, The Horseracing Channel 88 was launched over Starhub digital cable TV for the Club's Telebet customers so they can watch it live.

For racing information, career and business opportunities, visit: www.turfclub.com.sg