Horse Race Tracks In the Philippines

Philippine horse racing is a popular sport in this country and race betting is an equally prevalent activity. The horse racing industry in the Philippines is regulated through the Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM). During events and weekly races, citizens come from various cities to watch and enjoy the local horse races. The Philippines has three major horse racecourses which house spectator seating, food, beverages, and betting opportunities.  Reviewed below are each racetrack found in the Philippines.

Racetracks In The Philippines

Three racetracks are often used in rotation by the Metro Manila Turf Club, Manila Jockey Club, and Philippine Racing Club - the San Lazaro Leisure Park and Track, the Malvar, Batangas Racetrack, and Santa Ana Park. Horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners utilize all three tracks for housing, training, and horse racing purposes.

Metro Manila Turf Club - Malvar, Batangas Racetrack:

This Club sits on 45 hectares on the edge of Malvar and Tanauan, Batangas. The newest first-class development project hopes to uplift the local horse racing industry and is home to the Metro Manila Turf Club which offers its MetroTurf Live 1,525m racetrack to run weekly races. The Club offers modern equipment and facilities, public and private viewing stands, flat screen TV’s, and dining.

The Metro Manila Turf Club has a 3,000-person grandstand available to the public, as well as, a private spectator stand for VIPs which is located beside the official’s booth. Guests at the racetrack venue are encouraged to bet either using betting machines or guest services. Spectators not on club property can wager remotely from the Santa Ana and San Lazaro off-track betting facilities and view races broadcasted via USTREAM.

For spectators who require nourishment, a restaurant is fixed at the club which offers drinks, snacks, sandwiches, burgers, desserts, and ice cream. Finger food and full meals are common here, as well as, a full-service bar for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Philippine Racing Club – Santa Ana Park:

This park sits on 65 hectares and during races attracts crowds around its racecourse. The course is lit for nighttime races for continuous all-day enjoyment. The park houses more than 800 horses divided among 78 stables. Lots are available for leasing and building custom stables. Training and daily practice begin as early as 4 am and all horses enjoy a morning swim in the equine pool.

The Santa Ana Park hosts races on the weekend which bring in guests from Manila and nearby communities. The local horse racing community enjoys the modern facilities Santa Ana provides guests and have no issue with traveling to the venue. The park has a 4-story grandstand for spectators and offers various meals via multiple food vendors outside near the grandstands or inside the grandstand building via restaurant.

The Philippine Racing Club renewed their franchise in 1995 for another 25 years starting in 2017, in 2022 the licensed will once again be up for renewal. The franchise allows the club the right to build, operate and manage a single track in either the City of Makati, provinces of Rizal, Laguna or Cavite and the permission to run races in said areas. The club may also accept or arrange wagers for races run at either track and within the Philippines or overseas.

Manila Jockey Club – San Lazaro Leisure Park & Track:

This world-class racing venue was developed to be a leader in horse race experience offerings in the Philippines and to compete with leading Clubs on a global level. This park in Carmona, Cavite sits on 77 hectares and is home to over 1,000 thoroughbreds and the Manila Jockey Club. The San Lazaro Park is host to the Philippines biggest horse racing events – the Presidential Gold Cup.

A 20-minute drive south from Makati, the Manila Jockey Club’s venue offers top-tier equipment for horse racing, horse race betting on-track, off-track through OTBs, and through mobile using Telebet and Fast Bet mobile. Within the park is a PAGCOR operated casino with gaming machines and table games. Inside the Turf building complex is a smaller venue for cockfights and a future site for the men and women’s National Teams Training Centre for futbol. Further additions to the venues include baseball, wakeboarding, and concert hall accommodations.

This race course also features a Kids Play Center which allows children a safe area for kid-friendly entertainment. The San Lazaro Turf Club Banquet is also affixed to the property for hosting business meetings, seminars, and social events.