Penang's Farewell Saluted In Style

Penang Gold Cup winner Lucky Magic fittingly wins very last Batu Gantong race

- Michael Lee

The final chapter in the rich history of the 161-year-old Penang Turf Club (PNTC) was closed on May 31, in front of a big turnout.

A larger than usual crowd of around 3,000—three times the average attendance—turned up at the Batu Gantong track to mark their presence at the historic but sad day for racing fans.

Plagued by plummeting turnover and attendances, the PNTC becomes the second Malayan Racing Association turf club to bow out, after the Singapore Turf Club on Oct 5, leaving only the Selangor Turf Club and Perak Turf Club.

Asian neighbour, the Macau Jockey Club, also closed its doors on April 1, 2024, unable to square its ledger as well.

After four out of five Penang meetings were cancelled in 2025 (before May 31, the only meeting that went ahead was on March 8) due to the perennial reason of insufficient numbers, many hoped the finale would not fall prey to the same logistics concerns.

But the Malaysian racing fraternity rallied round in force. With trainers and owners from Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh pledging support by sending up their horses, the PNTC was able to honour its word to not go out without offering its patrons one last treat.