ABOUT 2,500 spectators, including many first-timers, turned up at the Penang Turf Club in Batu Gantong today to witness its historic final race meeting.
Founded in 1864, the Penang Turf Club officially ends its operations after today’s event due to mounting financial losses. The club is expected to sell off its entire 81-hectare site.
Today’s crowd was one of the largest in recent years. In contrast, past race meetings typically attracted only 100 to 200 attendees. In its heyday, before the internet era, the club regularly drew crowds of up to 7,000.
Among those present was Kebun Bunga assemblyman Lee Boon Heng, who expressed mixed emotions.
“This is a very historical place for Penangites. However, we have to accept that horse racing is a sunset industry. I understand that maintaining the club is very costly, and that’s why they’ve decided to close it down,” he said.
“While I acknowledge the challenges, I do hope some of the historical structures will be preserved. That way, future generations will know that a racecourse existed in Batu Gantong for over a century. It’s actually the oldest racing track in Malaysia.
“I understand the management will compensate the employees according to regulations. The workers’ union has approached me, and I’ve agreed to act as a mediator between them and the management. Hopefully, there’ll be a win-win solution.”
For 43-year-old Mudasir Khan from California, today marked his third visit to the Batu Gantong course. His first two were as a child, brought by his parents.
“I just wanted to come and take in the place before everything’s gone. Unfortunately, the club is no longer viable financially. From a heritage standpoint, not many cities have something like this. Penang is lucky to have had it for 161 years. You can see how well the turf is maintained. It shows the pride the club has taken,” said Mudasir, a logistics consultant who has been working in Penang for the past two years.
He was accompanied by friends Terence Fernandez, Group Editor-in-Chief of Scoop, and Maria J. Dass of Warisan Works Sdn Bhd.
Also attending for the first time were Emery Tay and Tan Mei Fong from Permatang Pauh, Seberang Perai, who came with Tay’s father.
“We heard this would be the final race meeting, so we decided to come and see what horse racing all is about. We may never get another chance. It’s part of history,” they said.
Another first-time visitor was Yamato Kawaguchi from Tokyo. His company organises travel packages for Japanese tourists keen on attending horse races across Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“Horse racing is my No. 1 sport, followed by baseball. I’ve been to many tracks in Asia like Hong Kong, Singapore, Selangor, and Ipoh, but never Penang,” said Yamato, 45.
“I made this trip on purpose, knowing it would be the final race meeting. It’s sad to see the club closing.”
Among those enjoying the atmosphere was former state footballer S. Ganeson, a member of the Penang Development Corporation’s FAM Cup-winning team in 1986.
“I was invited by a few friends, so I decided to come and relax. I just wanted to experience it live. Watching horse racing in person is very different from watching it on TV,” he said.
The Batu Gantong course will fall silent from now on, but for the fans who came today, especially the newcomers, the hoofbeats and cheers will likely stay with them for a long, long time.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siti Noor Nabilah Noorazis