Owners are moving their horses out of the Singapore Turf Club as early as August. According to horse racing news reports, the Singapore Turf Club closure will be at the end of October 2024. Thus, horse racing will end in the island nation.
Trainers and owners said it is too expensive to remain until the closure of the horse betting facility. The government will subsidize some of the costs of the horses. However, industry insiders claimed they were insufficient to stop owners from leaving.
Sports betting sources said that race courses in Malaysia would also suffer from the Singapore Turf Club closure. Many Malaysian racecourses get their horses from the Singapore Turf Club.
Singapore Turf Club Closure
Starting in July and continuing through March 2026, the Singapore Turf Club will subsidize each horse by S$700 monthly. The Turf Club’s contribution will cover costs like feed, bedding, and stall rental for the owners.
However, Eric Koh, a horse owner, has stated that the sum is extremely insufficient, citing that it costs between S$4,000 and S$5,000 per month to maintain a horse.
Due to the hefty costs, some owners may find alternative places to stabilize their horses.
Relocating Horses
Some owners are getting a good start on the costly process of selling or transferring their horses, notwithstanding the subsidies. In addition to transportation costs, horse exporting requires quarantine, vaccinations, and export certification.
Mr. Koh estimated the costs of transporting a horse to Malaysia at S$5,000, Thailand at S$9,000, and Australia at A$20,000.
Mr. Richard Lim is one such trainer who assists the owners of the five horses under his care as they are shipped off to compete in races primarily in Malaysia.
Mr. Lim, who invested over S$100,000 in his stable services firm last year, is worried that owners who do not want to stay around may place blame on trainers like himself.
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