GEORGE TOWN: In order to minimize financial losses, Penang Turf Club, the oldest horse racing club in Malaysia, plans to shut down following its last race at the end of next month. With its closure, Malaysia will only have two turf clubs left: the Selangor Turf Club, founded in 1896, and the Perak Turf Club, founded in 1886. The shutdown comes after other local horse racing organizations have shut down because of dwindling interest in the sport and financial difficulties following the COVID-19 outbreak. The Macau Jockey Club shut down in April of last year, and the Singapore Turf Club in Kranji had its last race in October 2024 after a 182-year existence.
On May 31, the Penang Turf Club, which was founded in 1864, is anticipated to have its last race meeting. According to news portal The Star, the club now has eight horses in its stable and two trainers on approximately 81.7 hectares of beautiful land in Batu Gantung. At the club’s second special general meeting on Sunday, April 20, 318 of the 320 regular members voted in favor of closing the club. Two votes were spoiled, according to The Star. Leow Khin Ming, the general manager and secretary of the Penang Turf Club, stated that at the first special general meeting, which took place on June 10, 2024, over a year ago, a resolution was voted to dissolve the club. The club will begin the dissolution procedure, which Leow stated is “anticipated to take at least one to two years”.
“The club will notify all pertinent parties and authorities that it intends to stop racing activities on a date to be decided by the club committee in order to reduce losses,” Leow stated on Sunday, according to the New Straits Times. The club will also be ending its agreements with suppliers and service providers, according to a March story in The Star. Phased layoff payouts or a voluntary departure plan will be made available to its 150 employees.
