The two crown jewels of the Singapore horse racing scene have been “discontinued”, the gambling-obsessed island’s turf operator said Monday.
The Sg$3.0 million ($2.1 million) Singapore Airlines (SIA) International Cup and the Sg$1.0 million KrisFlyer International Sprint have achieved their objectives and will no longer be held, the Singapore Turf Club said in a statement.
Among the objectives was “branding Singapore races internationally and uplifting the quality of Singapore horses and Singapore racing”, the statement said.
“Both international races together with Singapore Racing have grown in stature and prestige over the years. As the objectives set out for the two races have been achieved, the Singapore Turf Club wishes to announce that the SIA Cup and KFIS will be discontinued,” it added.
SIA said the discontinuation was a decision of the Singapore Turf Club.
The SIA Cup, held each May at the suburban Kranji racecourse, first took place in 2000. The KrisFlyer International Sprint was established in 2001.
The Singapore Turf Club is the only authorised operator of horse racing and horse betting services in Singapore.
Betting turnover at the turf club totalled Sg$1.55 billion in the year ending March 2014.
Singapore also has a state-run lottery as well as two major casinos, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.