Did you know the Selangor Turf Club boasts a history as rich as the soil it once stood on? Right here before us stands a testament to Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant past. The Selangor Turf Club wasn’t always in this location. Its early days were on Jalan Tun Razak. Imagine a simpler time with attap-roofed grandstands. That was the Selangor Gymkhana Club. Only amateur riders were allowed. The club soon realized that amateur racing alone wouldn’t be profitable.
When the lease expired in 1895 the Selangor Turf Club found a new home along Ampang Road. This is where the real story begins. This new location had a more primitive grandstand. It was made of attap buildings. But the club reinvested its profits. It gradually transformed into a world-class facility. The Selangor Turf Club even pioneered a thoroughbred griffin scheme. Three lots were imported in 1896. Despite opposition it became crucial to Malaysian racing. These griffins had to be certified thoroughbreds. Their sire and dam had to be registered in the Australian studbook.
The Selangor Turf Club also had notable figures. Mr Geo Redfearn a renowned Caulfield trainer was a leading local trainer. He brought many fine horses from his father’s stables in Australia. Several horses from the Federal Malay States sired by Malvolio won the Melbourne Cup in 1891. These horses were part of Redfearn’s stables. Gentlemen like Messrs H Aylesbury W H Tate and many others were deeply involved. Captain Talbot Dr Travers and others were enthusiastic supporters. Mr J P Rodger a resident trainer further promoted racing. Past gentlemen riders included Messrs J Patton Ker T W Raymond and others. Well-known jockeys like V Southall E Fisher and J R Elliott contributed to the club’s legacy.
On January 1 1896 the Selangor Turf Club joined the Straits Racing Association. Captain Talbot became the first president. Mr G Cumming was vice-president and Mr D E Topham secretary. The club had 300 members. Membership cost 15 dollars a year plus a 10 dollar entrance fee. Betting was only allowed through a Totalisator. Each horse had a number. People bought tickets for their chosen horses. The winnings were distributed after each race less a 10 percent commission. The rules were quite complicated. No betting occurred if less than four horses ran.
By 1988 the Selangor Turf Club needed more space. The club moved to a larger site in Sungei Besi. Construction began in 1990. Three years later a brand new state-of-the-art racecourse opened. It included multipurpose sports facilities. The grandstand has a capacity of 25000 spectators. It is made of two parallel buildings with a light and air well between. This design improved the connection between indoor and outdoor areas. The roof is a stunning collection of wings. These overlap like bird feathers. The west side cascades forming a giant louver. It blocks sun while catching breezes.
The racetrack is 2000 meters long and 30 meters wide. It is left-handed. It is turfed with El Toro Zoysia grass. It also includes a 30-meter turf training track a 15-meter sand training track and stabling for 720 horses. In April 1994 His Majesty Yang DiPertuan Agong Sultan Azlan Shah opened this complex. A race called the STC Official Opening Commemorative Stakes honored this occasion. So here we stand at the Selangor Turf Club a place steeped in history. A place where tradition and progress meet.