Hapi Days for the Philippine Jockey Club with the Countdown to their New Race Track

A digital image of the racetrack currently in construction. (Photo: Philippine Jockey Club)

Macau based ex-jockey Harry Troy talks exclusively to Bred 4 Sports about the exciting progress of the new Manila Racetrack, opening in just a few months. With the recent closure of Singapore and Macau, there's a massive opportunity for Philippine racing to fill the void. This state-of-the-art facility promises to elevate the nation's horse racing to a global stage.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I was a former champion country jockey based in NSW for over 34 years before taking up a riding contract in Macau in 1997. When I retired from race riding in 1998, I commenced working with the Macau Jockey Club as a form analyst, race caller and later racing writer for the MJC. I was the race caller in Macau for over 25 years.

I have only been in the Philippines a few weeks but I am amazed at how much they have completed of the new track at Padre Garcia - all in the span of 16 months.

This is a fabulous state of the art project unlike any other undertaken in the Philippines, that is going to lift the nations horse racing up to an international level.

How many operational racecourses are there currently in the Philippines?

Currently there is now only one racetrack in operation in the Philippines, the Malvar racetrack which is situated in Batangas. It is operated by Metro Manila Turf Incorporated; and races four to five times a week.

The Race track under construction. (Photo: Philippine Jockey Club)

At one stage there were three racetracks operating in the Philippines. Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite run by the Philippines Racing Club Incorporated (PRCI), and San Lazero Leisure Park run by the Manila Jockey Club (MJC) and Malvar racetrack (MMTI).

In August 2022, following on from the Covid Pandemic, the Manila Jockey Club officially shut down its 155-year-old horse racing operations, with the last races run under its banner in October 2022. Following this the Philippine Racing Club also announced that it would cease its horseracing business at San Lazero Leisure Park in November 2022.

The two groups stated that they would instead focus on the lucrative real estate development markets, while leasing existing properties. 

Why is a new racecourse needed?

Horse racing in the Philippines has had a long and colourful history dating back to 1867. Add to that, the Philippines have a thriving thoroughbred breeding industry that produces up to 400 foals per year. 

A group of passionate breeders and owners foresaw the closures by the MJC and PRCI, and decided to form their own race club. They wanted to guarantee the viability of the nations racing industry and its participants; while at the same time protecting their investments and ensuring the well being of the horse population. Unlike the former participants who have gone the way of real estate development, these are professional horse people who understand all facets of the industry.

Current Stables (Photo: Philippine Jockey Club)

The Hapi Jockey Club who will be trading as the Philippine Jockey Club (PJC) is dedicated to lifting Philippines racing up to an international standard.

The construction of the new track has now proven to be a well-timed move. The recent closure of the Singapore and Macau racetracks has left a huge void in Asian racing. The Hapi Group are now looking to fill that void with the construction of a state-of-the-art facility at Padre Garcia Batangas, with negotiations already underway to broadcast our product to racing jurisdictions worldwide for betting.

Is the racetrack turf or sand-based?

Both tracks are of a sand surface with a very efficient vertical drainage system in place to combat the monsoon rainy season. The main racetrack is 1600 meters in circumference (outside track) and 1525 meters (inside track) and will feature day and night racing under lights provided by Musco Lighting, a world-renowned supplier of sports lighting.

A vision of the 2000m sand track. (Photo: Philippine Jockey Club)

The track was laid down by highly regarded USA designer Steve Woods who formerly had ties with major racetracks such as Del Mar, Santa Anita and Oak Tree in the USA. The project will initially have stabling for 1200 horses and will be complimented by a modern veterinary hospital, plus an equine swimming pool for exercise and rehabilitation.

How will the racetrack operate in the new calendar year?

The new track will operate all year round sharing the racing calendar with the Malvar racetrack. On average each track will race four times a week on alternate weeks. Initially over 200 Off Track Betting Centers (OTB) are being put into service for Metro Manila and nearby cities. Together with these OTB centers the club will have in place their newly developed online betting systems, as well as live streaming access via their racing channel to Padre Garcia track from anywhere in the world.

With Singapore closing its racetrack, do you have plans to take on international races?

Yes, that is certainly something in the long-term plans for the club. There is still a lot government protocol to be met such as quarantine facilities plus the transportation of horses. But it is certainly a future goal.

What facilities have been constructed thus far?

The inside track is fully completed and in full use at the moment for training. The outside is nearing completion after some delays caused by Typhoon Carina in July. Currently a large portion of the stabling facilities and workers quarters are completed, and already there are over 120 horses currently stabled at the new complex with more arriving each week.

A vision of the front of the racecourse (Photo: Philippine Jockey Club)

A digital vision of the Parade Ring. (Photo: Philippine Jockey Club)

Given Australia's strong racing bloodstock, will you be sourcing horses from Australian stud farms?

For more than 30 years Filipino buyers have been purchasing Australian bred horses; firstly from William Inglis and Sons and in recent years the Magic Millions Group. At the June MM sales this year Filipino buyers bought a total of 53 horses over a three-day spending spree. The MM Sales are popular with the Filpino buyers as they offer incentives such as freight subsidies to the purchaser.

Equine International Freight run by Cameron Croucher, is an Australian based company that has been shipping horses to the Philippines for over 10 years. During that time, they have flown more 600 horses to the Philippines. 

 Will the Philippines operate a Tote?

Yes, in fact tote betting is the only type of legal horse betting in the Philippines; there are no on track bookmakers. The race clubs here have been operating computerized betting systems since February 1986. The totes are run by the individual clubs themselves, but are strictly monitored by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) which is the government’s public gambling regulator.

Also the Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM) created in 1974 is the horse racing regulatory office of the Philippines. They are given the responsibility to promote and administer the development of horseracing in the Philippines as a sport, and a source of revenue and employment..

What will the prize money structure look like?

At the moment the Metro Manila Turf Club has prize-money of US$3,000 up to US$100,000 for the feature Presidential Gold Cup on offer. Once the PJC is fully operational prize-money is one of main issues to be addressed to attract new industry participants.

The level of prize-money is set by the gross revenue received by the On Course Tote and the Off Track Betting Centers. As well as Philracom being the racing regulator, it is incumbent upon them to promote and contribute to the quality of horse racing. Therefore they stage stakes races such as the Presidental Gold Cup which are similar to your Group 1 races in Australia and the Graded stakes races in the USA.

Will the Manila Racetrack be hosting international races initially, or will it focus on local trainers to begin with?

Again, this is a thing for the future. Lifting the image of Philippines racing is paramount for the Hapi Group but as per question (5) there will be certain government criteria to be met with things like quarantine and logistics.

As for the trainers - the Philippines has a large number of successful trainers currently operating here. The Filipino people are noted for their horsemanship and the PJC aim to support the local residents first off. However, as we have seen with other Asian racing jurisdictions there is a great deal of foreign interest, and many employ expat officials such as stewards, handicappers and also trainers and jockeys. This is good for the growth of the club and their knowledge can be passed onto the local industry participants. 

A vision of the new stables. (Photo: Philippine Jockey Club)

What is the expected opening date for the new racetrack?

As yet a start date is not determined - but could be as early as late December – January depending on the completion of works.

Regarding horse training education, is there a sufficient number of trainers to support the current market, or will you be seeking overseas trainers and industry professionals from Australia or elsewhere?

We do have a large base of very competent locals in both trainers and jockeys to begin with. Some overseas industry consultants such as stewards, handicappers and promotional professionals will be engaged to assist us, as we enter this new and exciting phase of thoroughbred horse racing in the Philippines.

Who is expected to broadcast your races?

The club will be broadcasting its races on its live streaming racing channel. Already we have been approached by many interested parties worldwide to take our racing.

To learn more about the progress and updates visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/philippinejockeyclub/