Horse racing is an age-old sport that is often associated with royalty, and the rich and famous. Owning and racing horses has always been considered as prestigious and a status symbol. This perception has been no different in Singapore ever since racing was introduced in 1842, with the first race taking place on 23rd February 1843.

The good news is you don’t have to be blue-blooded or be in Forbes’ millionaire list to become a racehorse owner nowadays! Whether you’re a successful businessman or professional, you can be part of the game as well. You too can become part of Singapore’s exclusive racing circle, and be involved in a sport, which celebrates the power and grace of horses as well as provides the thrill of speed and winning.

There has never been a better time to become a racehorse owner in Singapore. With increases in prizemoney, attractive training rebates and world-class race tracks and facilities, Singapore is arguably the best and most cost-effective racing centre in the world for successful horse ownership.

Racing in Singapore

Races are held in Singapore all year round with races scheduled on either weekday evenings or weekend afternoons. With more than 700 races scheduled per year there are many opportunities for horses of all classes to compete for more than S$ 58 million worth of prizemoney. On top of the normal races, we have 26 feature races each year, including the S$ 3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup, the jewel of the Singapore racing calendar. The Reward Incentive Scheme helps horseowners to lower the cost of keeping their horses in Singapore.

Currently, over 700 owners in Singapore share stabling facilities that can accommodate up to 1,200 horses. While the majority of owners reside in Singapore, there are also some registered overseas owners, as the Turf Club encourages both local and international ownership. Apart from enjoying obvious benefits such as prizemoney and rebates, international owners can watch race replays via the Turf Club website. Wherever you are from, owning a horse in Singapore gives you the privilege of enjoying the magnificent facilities at Kranji.

*Anyone, who is above the age of 21, not a bankrupt and does not have a criminal record, is eligible. You need not be a Singapore citizen or staying in Singapore to qualify as an owner to be part of this sport.

Getting Started

To race horses in Singapore, all owners must be registered with the Malayan Racing Association (MRA). The MRA is the controlling body which licenses trainers and jockeys and also registers owners and horses in Singapore and Malaysia.

There is no restriction on foreigners owning horses in Singapore. All Singapore residents and non-residents can own racehorses in Singapore. You also need not be staying in Singapore to be registered as an owner. There is also no restriction on the number of racehorses an individual or group of individuals can own.

To be an owner in Singapore, a person must be above 21 years of age, is of good financial standing and is not a declared bankrupt. An applicant should also not have any criminal record at the time of application nor have been disqualified by any turf club. The MRA owner registration fee is S$570 and this fee is payable annually.

Types of Ownership

Sole Ownership
As a sole owner of a horse, you will receive all of the winnings your horse earns in races (after deduction of trainer's & jockey's commissions) and be responsible for all costs of the horse's upkeep and training.

Partnership
Owners can alternatively register to form partnerships of up to 10 partners in any single partnership. All the winnings (after deduction of trainer's & jockey's commissions) your horse earns in races will be shared among the partners. Partners will need to nominate a Manager to represent the partnership and who will be responsible for managing the affairs of the partnership.

Registration Of Ownership
Registration of ownership can be done at the Malayan Racing Association (MRA), which governs the races conducted in Singapore and Malaysia. Its Singapore office is located at the Singapore Racecourse. An annual fee of S$570 is payable to the MRA for every owner registered under all types of ownership.

RACING COLOURS

One of the many joys of a horse owner is to proudly see his or her own racing colours being carried on the track! The colours are worn as the jockeys’ jerseys and caps for easy identification during a race. You need to register at least one set of racing colours to represent you or your stable. As you may have more than one horse in a race, you can register more than one set of racing colours. Your racing colours is unique and cannot be used by any other person or stable.

You can register your racing colours with the MRA. If you already have a set of racing colours that you are using overseas, you may also register it with the MRA, provided the same colours have NOT been registered by another owner.

For more information on ownership guidelines, visit the Singapore Turf Club website. . .