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Visit the Racetrack While in Singapore
There are many things to do on your visit to Singapore, but if you are a fan of horse racing, you can’t miss a visit to Singapore’s thoroughbred racetrack. Known as the Singapore Turf Club, top caliber thoroughbreds compete here on both turf and dirt surfaces.
A big difference in Singapore racing
Depending upon the horse racing you are used to seeing in your home country, there may be significant differences between what you see in Singapore and what you are accustomed to in your own country. One big difference is that none of the horses are bred in Singapore. This nation is small and does not have a breeding industry. All of the horses that race here are purchased elsewhere and brought to the country. The most common horse you will see is the Australian bred horse. Of course, these are horses that are stabled in Singapore. There are a couple of races that get the attention of horse owners throughout the world, and they are shipped here for the sole purpose of competing in a single race.
They have a dress code
Americans, especially, should take notice. Many people are used to going out to a racetrack, and if the weather is warm, wear shorts and tank tops. However, the people of Singapore are more conservative. The racetrack has a dress code, even in the grandstand area that you should pay attention to. In general, whether you are male or female, do not wear sleeveless shirts or t-shirts. Short sleeve shirts are fine, but make sure they have a collar. Also, do not wear shorts. Certain types of shorts may be allowed in the grandstand, but certainly not in the rest of the racetrack. To avoid any misunderstanding, simply wear a casual pair of pants. Jeans are fine in the grandstand, but make sure they do not have a tattered look to them.
When to see the races
The races take place twice a week and occasionally on a special holiday. Normal racing days are Fridays and Sundays. Friday racing takes place in the evening while racing on Sundays is during the day. The exact start and finish time of the entire race program depends upon the number of races that are carded. Friday racing starts at 6:20 p.m. and ends between 10:30 p.m. and 10:50 p.m. with nine or 10 races carded. Sunday races will have 10 to 12 races and start from 12:50 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and finish somewhere between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. All times are local. General admission to the grandstand is $6 SGD, and you must be 18 years old to be admitted to the race track. This is different than Americans are used to. In the United States, 18 years of age is the minimum age to make a bet, but children are still allowed in the track. This is not true in Singapore. If you have minor children, they will not be able to come with you.
There is only one race track in the country, so every taxi driver knows how to get there. You can also get there by bus. The following bus routes all stop in front of the racetrack: SBS 160 and 170, SMRT 178, 925, 960 and 961. The Kranji MRT, the local train, also stops next to the race track. For information on where to stay in Singapore, you can look for information on comparison shopping websites. Hipmunk is an example of this type of site, and you can find specific information on the Hipmunk’s FAQ on Singapore hotels page.
This article was contributed by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, a travel website that offers customers a fast and easy way to find the best travel deals.