The Penang Turf Club, established in 1864 and based at Batu Gantung in George Town, is expected to stage its final race meeting on May 31, 20251. The club is closing to reduce financial losses, and its closure will leave Malaysia with two remaining turf clubs: Perak Turf Club, established in 1886, and the Selangor Turf Club, founded in 18961.
Members backed the closure at a second special general meeting on Sunday, April 20, with 318 of 320 ordinary members supporting it; The Star reported two spoiled votes1. General manager and secretary Leow Khin Ming said a resolution to dissolve the club had already been passed at a first special general meeting on June 10, 20241.
"With respect to the cessation of racing activities to reduce losses, the club shall be notifying all relevant parties and authorities that the club intends to cease racing activities on a date to be decided by the club committee."
The club occupies about 81.7 hectares of prime land in Batu Gantung and currently has two trainers and eight horses in its stable, according to The Star1. It has occupied the Batu Gantung site, next to the upscale Taman Jesselton Height, since 1939, having moved there from its first race course on Macalister Road in George Town1.
Members had voted at the first special general meeting to sell the Batu Gantung land, a motion supported by 146 members with three opposing1. The club then launched an open tender, but the exercise, which closed in December last year, did not draw any bids that qualified1. The club has been looking for alternative ways to realize the land's value, estimated at RM6 billion (US$1.4 billion), for commercial use, according to Free Malaysia Today1. Its next option is likely to divide the land into smaller parcels for separate sale, a move that could attract a bigger pool of potential buyers, The Star reported1.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 18641 |
| Batu Gantung site occupied since | 19391 |
| Site size | About 81.7 hectares1 |
| Stable at time of reporting | Two trainers, eight horses1 |
| Closure vote, April 20 | 318 of 320 ordinary members in favor1 |
| Land value estimate | RM6 billion (US$1.4 billion)1 |
| Employees | 150, to be offered a voluntary separation scheme or other retrenchment packages in phases1 |
The club's closure follows others in the region that have ceased horse racing activities due to declining interest in the sport and financial challenges after the COVID-19 pandemic1. The Singapore Turf Club in Kranji held its final race in October 2024 after a 182-year chapter, while the Macau Jockey Club closed its doors in April last year1.
What it means for players
The Penang Turf Club's expected final meeting on May 31, 2025 means racegoers in Penang have no further meetings scheduled at Batu Gantung beyond that date, based on what has been reported1. The club has not announced a replacement venue in Penang, and no new Penang racecourse has been reported1. After the closure, Malaysian horse racing is expected to be concentrated at the two remaining turf clubs, Perak and Selangor1. Details of how outstanding bets, accounts or prize money connected to Penang meetings will be handled have not been reported1. For background on the club and its status, see Is Penang Turf Club Closing? Racing Status and Land Sale; for the wider regional picture, see Horse Racing and Betting in Asia; and for the Malaysian market, see Can I Gamble in Malaysia? and Betting on Horse Racing in Malaysia.
What happens next
The club will initiate the dissolution process, which Leow said is "expected to take at least one to two years"1. The club will notify all relevant parties and authorities that it intends to cease racing activities on a date to be decided by its committee1. Its 150 employees will be offered a voluntary separation scheme or other retrenchment packages in phases1. The Star reported in March that the club will also terminate contracts with suppliers and service providers1. No buyer has been reported for the Batu Gantung land since the December tender closed without qualifying bids1.
Sources1 sources
- Malaysia’s oldest horse racing club to close, last race could be on May 31 - CNA, channelnewsasia.com
