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The Selangor Turf Club celebrates its 110th anniversary this year, and what better way to celebrate than to take a look at its colourful past: from its humble beginnings as a gymkhana club to its first steps towards becoming a full-fledged racing club; to the present-day as the Club continues to break new ground in the Malaysian horse racing scene. |
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According to historical references, the “sport of kings” has been captivating punters and enthusiasts in the Straits Settlements for over 160 years. The earliest recorded horse races in this region were held in Singapore in 1843, with the Singapore Cup carrying $150 prize. Singapore also holds the distinction of founding South-East Asia’s first horse racing club, which was named the Singapore Sporting Club.
This pervasive love for the sport soon spread to what was then known as Malaya, with the formation of the Penang Turf Club in 1864, followed closely by the appearance of similar clubs in Perak and Selangor. The Selangor Gymkhana Club was formed British Resident, Sir William Maxwell in 1890. This precursor to the Selangor Turf Club, as we now know it, was located on a plot of land located along Circular Road (Jalan Tun Razak) that had been leased from the Selangor government. |
The first race was held during Chinese New Year in February 1891, in conjunction with a visit by the Governor. Races were modelled after the grand tradition of England’s Ascot, attracting the attention of VIPs like Sir Frank Swettenham. The Club also gained a following among several leading Chinese businessmen, most notably, Towkay Ah Yeok, who was one of the Club’s very first committee members, and Towkay Loke Yew, one of the first horse owners.
The Club continued to hold two to three race meetings a year after 1891, but its growth was hindered by a clause in the lease that prohibited the employment of professional jockeys. For a time, Selangor races featured amateur riders, most of whom were European civil servants with a passion for horses and riding, including the cream of the amateur crop, Head of Police, Harry Syers. |
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Things took a turn for the better in 1896 when the Selangor Gymkhana Club reorganised itself as the Selangor Turf Club, while retaining the patronage of Sir Frank Swettenham. Captain Talbot was elected as the Club’s first president with George Cumming as vice-president and D.E. Topham as secretary. The Club also managed to secure a new plot of land on the right-hand side of Ampang Road, a short distance from the existing stables. This new location came without any of the previous restrictions, making it possible for the Club to take on a more professional approach to the sport.
The Selangor Turf Club’s first race meeting was held in March 1896 with a $1000 feature race known as the Miners’ Purse that was won by top amateur jockey, T.W. Raymond astride Locky. The first Resident’s Cup with prize money totalling $250 was won by a horse called Nightmare with another leading amateur jockey, J. Paton Ker on board. 1896 also marked the Selangor Turf Club’s entry to the Straits Racing Association with George Cumming acting as the Club’s representative in the Association’s committee. Established on January 7 of the same year, the Straits Racing Association was formed as a coordinating and regulatory body for races in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang, drawing up the Common Rules of Racing and issuing the Malay Peninsula’s first racing calendar. |
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Another important milestone during this time was the emergence of the Club as an excellent venue for the rearing and breeding of horses. Not only was the Selangor Turf Club one of the best administered and professional clubs in Malaya, it also inaugurated the thoroughbred griffin scheme with three lots imported from Australia.
By 1906, membership had grown steadily , with each person paying a subscription fee of $15 a year and an entrance fee of $10. Horses from Java, Burma and China were slowly being replaced with Australian breeds. Races were held more frequently and the turnout was very encouraging, as was the performance of the horses and riders, many of whom were highly-skilled amateurs. |
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This smooth sailing did not last for long as racing activities came to a grinding halt during the Great War of 1914-1918. During this time, races were run to raise funds for the War and to help shore up the Club’s finances for the post-War period. After the war’s end, the Club stepped up its efforts once more and climbed back to the forefront of the local horse racing and breeding scene.
1939 saw the introduction of the Selangor Gold Cup, the forerunner to the present-day’s Tunku Gold Cup and the most prestigious race in the Selangor Turf Club’s rich history. That same year, the Club’s Chairman reported a profit of $30,400.
The Club’s stellar run was to be curtailed yet again with the coming World War II. Professional racing was prohibited from 1941 to 1943, although the Club was allowed to carry out other activities such as training and breeding. By now, the number of local jockeys was on the rise, with many more locals joining the sport as riding boys, trainer, syces and the like.
Racing and breeding activities picked up rapidly after the end of the Japanese Occupation, with the election of Sir Sydney Palmer as Chairman in 1947 along with committee members Dato’ Sir Clough Thuraisingham and Leong Hoe Yeng. Race day attendance averaged 14,000 people in 1952, with turnover exceeding $70 million. The Selangor Gold Cup soon became one of the most prominent races in Malaya, and the venue could claim to have the best facilities among the members of the Straits Racing Association.
Upon Sir Sydney Palmers retirement in 1953, the Chairmanship was passed on to prominent lawyer, long-time Club member and committee member, Dato’ Sir Clough Thuraisingham, who legacy we will explore in the next part of this look into the history of the Selangor Turf Club. |
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