2026-06-24

The Selangor Turf Club has firmly established itself as the premier hub for thoroughbred racing in Southeast Asia, transforming its vision of ‘Racing Towards Global Excellence’ from a mere aspiration into a tangible operational reality.

Addressing the Club Members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Sir Richard Cham Hak Lim highlighted that the pinnacle of the 2025 racing calendar was the successful staging of the RM1 Million Selangor Mile in July.

The substantial increase in prize money has elevated the Selangor Mile into a premier feature event in Southeast Asia, drawing the region’s finest horses while providing strong incentives for owners and trainers. At the same time, it has injected renewed vitality and enhanced international competitiveness into the sport.

He also expressed deep appreciation to horse owners from Malaysia, Singapore, China and Hong Kong for their strong support of the Horse Community Project, held on 30 January and 27 February 2026. With the backing of Horse City Sdn Bhd, the initiative continues to establish itself as a vital platform for sustainable ownership and long-term growth in Malaysian racing. Through structured incentives, dedicated race programming, and growing regional participation, the project provides owners with a compelling pathway into the sport.

From a catalogue of 53 two-year-olds, 50 horses were sold, achieving an impressive clearance rate of approximately 94%. The combined sales generated a gross turnover of RM5,815,000, with an average price of RM116,300 and a median of RM120,000 — clear indicators of strong buyer confidence and healthy engagement across both sales.

He further noted that these strategic initiatives have been highly effective in modernizing race-day fields. In the past, Malaysia’s racing stock was critically aging, with over 70% of the national racehorse population older than five years. Guided by the 2024 Global Excellence initiative to encourage horse ownership and reinforced by the formal launch of the Racing Enhancement Fund in 2025, the Club has successfully reshaped national equine demographics. Today, more than 55% of the horse population is five years old or younger.

He also shared that the Club’s Apprentice School remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of world-class jockeys. The strength of its curriculum is best demonstrated through the impressive progress of talents such as current Apprentice Jockeys I Fikri, J Ikram, G Farhan, and graduate R Nuqman. Their journey from classroom and training track to becoming formidable competitors on race day reflects the depth and effectiveness of the program.

These riders have showcased the technical skill, composure and professional maturity that the School strives to instill. Their ability to execute complex tactical manoeuvres under pressure, coupled with consistent performance in the saddle, sets a benchmark for all current trainees.

The line-up of Committee Members of the Selangor Turf Club for the year 2026/2027 are as follows: –

1. Tan Sri Datuk Sir Richard Cham Hak Lim (Chairman)
2. Mr Clement Chew Kuan Hock (Deputy Chairman)
3. Mr Lim Eng Ho
4. Mr Mahendran a/l Ponniah
5. Mr Goik Kenzu
6. Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Tan Boon Hock
7. Mr Rodney Cheah Sin Chye
8. Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Wee Hoe Soon @ Gooi Hoe Soon

The Club’s representatives to the Malayan Racing Association for 2026/2027 are Tan Sri Datuk Sir Richard Cham Hak Lim, Mr Clement Chew Kuan Hock and Mr Mahendran Ponniah

Club’s representatives on the Lembaga Totalisator Malaysia are Mr Clement Chew Kuan Hock and Mr Rodney Cheah Sin Chye.