The Philippines: Horse Racing’s Quiet Achiever on the Rise

Contributors: Harry Troy, Crissy Fox and Ancy Palma.

The much-anticipated opening of the new state-of-the-art racetrack in the Philippines is drawing closer, with construction nearing completion and July being considered for a possible soft opening.

At a time when two major racetracks in Asia—Singapore and Macau—have closed, the newly formed Hapi Jockey Club Incorporated, trading as the Philippine Jockey Club, has taken a bold step forward. Emerging from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the club embarked on the construction of a massive new facility designed to accommodate up to 2,000 horses.

Situated on the rolling plains of Padre Garcia, with the picturesque backdrop of Mount Malarayat, the racetrack is located in the heart of the Philippines’ horse breeding country, near the rapidly expanding city of Lipa in Batangas.

The complex features twin sand tracks with vertical drainage. The outer track measures 1,600 metres in circumference, while the inner course spans 1,525 metres. The track was constructed by highly respected American track specialist Steve Woods, whose expertise extends to major US tracks such as Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Oak Tree, as well as locations in New Mexico and South America.

With 900 stables already completed, the facility currently houses 400 horses. That number is set to grow with the arrival of over 30 three-year-old race-ready horses from the United States in August. They will be joined by the majority of the 58 yearlings purchased at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sales last year. In addition, a confirmed shipment of up to 60 horses from Australia, arranged through Cameron Croucher’s Equine International Air Freight, is expected in July.

Training has already commenced on the inner track, which has been in use since November, while the main racetrack is expected to be race-ready by July.

“The track will be ready to go in July,” a club spokesperson confirmed. “The transformers needed to run the lighting system have already landed in the Philippines and will arrive in Padre Garcia soon. The generators, which will power the entire lighting system, are expected from China in early May.”

Construction will continue even after the racetrack becomes operational, with plans to complete an equine swimming pool and an additional 600 stables. Once finished, the facility will have the capacity to stable 2,000 horses.

While the soft opening is targeted for late July, the grand opening is scheduled for 14 December 2025, coinciding with the prestigious Presidential Gold Cup Day—the country’s richest race, which is expected to offer record prize money.

Representatives from United Tote (USA) will travel to the Philippines at the end of April to fine-tune the betting systems and upgrade software to introduce new wagering options. International interest in betting and streaming rights has been strong, with discussions already underway with major operators.

With over two billion pesos (A$55.1 million) invested in the project so far, the new racetrack will provide a significant boost to Philippine racing, particularly following the closure of the San Lazaro racetrack in Carmona, Cavite, in August 2022.

The Manila Jockey Club Incorporated, which operated San Lazaro, was the country’s first racing club, founded in 1867. Soon after, the Philippine Racing Club Incorporated’s Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite, also closed in October 2022. This left Metro Manila Turf Club Incorporated in Malvar as the only operating racetrack in the Philippines.

Despite these closures, the post-COVID period has seen a resurgence in betting turnover, reaching record levels. On 8 December 2024, the Presidential Gold Cup Day saw punters wager over 50 million pesos (A$1.3 million), contributing to a total betting turnover of over five billion pesos (A$137 million) for the year.

Locally known as ‘The Horseman’s Track,’ the project is the vision of a dedicated group of owners and breeders committed to not only sustaining horse racing in the Philippines but also elevating it to international standards.

At the ground-breaking ceremony in April 2022, HJCI Chairman Oliver ‘Jojo’ Velasquez expressed confidence in the racetrack’s future.

“This new racetrack will be managed by industry stakeholders and professionals with the experience and commitment to develop the sport to its full potential. With this historic development, all horse racing aficionados in the country can rest assured that their favourite spectator sport and leisure activity is here to stay for the long haul.”

Philippine Horse Buyers and Their 20-Year Presence at the Magic Millions Sales

Since 2005, Philippine buyers have been active participants in the Magic Millions National Gold Coast Yearling Sale, marking two decades of engagement in the Australian thoroughbred market. While Filipino buyers typically prefer American horses due to their adaptability to dirt tracks, they also recognise the quality and value of Australian bloodlines.

The recent purchases made by Philippine buyers, including those from the March sale, are not solely due to the upcoming April shipment. A key factor driving demand this year is the opening of a new racetrack in the Philippines, which has increased interest in acquiring more horses.

Following the Magic Millions National Sale in May and June, the next shipment of horses to the Philippines is scheduled for 7 July. However, logistical changes have altered the shipping process—whereas horses were previously transported per pallet, the current system now requires chartered flights from Australia to the Philippines.

For the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale, Philippine buyers primarily made their purchases online. However, they are expected to attend the upcoming Magic Millions National Sale in person. Among the notable buyers at the March sale was Louise Ann Decena, who secured a few promising yearlings.

With Philippine buyers continuing their strong presence in the Australian thoroughbred market, their commitment to sourcing quality bloodlines remains evident as they adapt to evolving logistical and industry trends.

Louise Ann Decena made several purchases at the March Gold Coast Yearling Sale, acquiring:

Lot 7 – Dubious (AUS) x Reggenza (AUS) Filly from Warrandale Stud.

Lot 19 – Jonker (AUS) x Royal Chalee (AUS) from Alexia Fraser Bloodstock.

Lot 126 – Neorealism (JPN) x Be Alle Belle (AUS) from Marlou Park.

"I've always focused my buying at the MM National Sale, but this year I decided to explore the March Yearling Sale and I'm thrilled with what I found. The Dubious filly from Warrandale caught my eye immediately with her athletic build, while the Jonker colt has that explosive look you want in a sprinter. The Neorealism colt offers something different with those Japanese bloodlines I've been eager to introduce to my program in the Philippines. The quality available at this sale surprised me, and I'm excited to see how these yearlings develop alongside my upcoming National Sale purchases." says Decena.

Lot 155 – Better Than Ready (AUS) x Chappy’s Dream (AUS) Colt from Lyndhurst Stud Farm bought by Jun Almeda.

“Working with Jeff Kruger and the Lyndhurst team, through David Chester, has been a pleasure as always. Their reputation for quality was evident in both colts I purchased. The Better than Ready Colt has that strong Queensland speed influence that’s so valuable, while the Fierce Impact Colt represents the kind of Japanese bloodlines that are increasingly making their mark in our racing scene. I’ve had success with Lyndhurst graduates before, and these two youngsters tick all the boxes in terms of conformation and temperament. I’m excited to bring them back to the Philippines and see how they develop under program. This is just the beginning of my Australian acquisitions this year I’ll be returning for the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale in June to further strengthen our racing stock. When you trust the breeder and the farm, it gives you added confidence in your selections, especially when investing in horses that will need to adapt to our racing conditions back home. Big thanks as well to David Chester at Magic Millions for the assistance!” says Almeda.

Lot 342 – Puissance De Lune (IRE) x Myopic (AUS) Filly from Kerlin Farm bought by Narciso Morales.

“As a long-time regular buyer at Magic Millions for more than 15 years now, I came with specific bloodlines in mind and I’m delighted to have secured these exceptional fillies. The Admire Mars Filly from Oaklands Stud has that classic Japanese influence that’s becoming increasingly valuable in our region, with beautiful balance and a temperament that suggests she’ll handle the transition well. I was equally impressed by the Puissance De Lune filly from Kerlin Farm, who brings that European staying power that can be so effective when properly developed. Both fillies represent bloodlines that I believe will cross well with our existing stock back home. The March sale offered excellent value compared to some of the higher profile auctions, and this is just the beginning of my Australian acquisitions this year. I’ll be returning for the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale in June to further expand my breeding program with complimentary bloodlines. Having now David Chester whose name is associated with Magic Millions internationally for his expertise in racehorses, I’ve always valued the quality available at these sales.” says Morales.

As the Philippine racing industry enters an exciting new era with the opening of a state-of-the-art racetrack, the demand for high-quality thoroughbreds is expected to grow even further. With a long-standing presence at the Magic Millions sales, Filipino buyers have demonstrated their dedication to securing top-tier bloodlines that can compete at an international level.

Despite the evolving logistical challenges, their commitment to Australian thoroughbreds remains strong, ensuring that the partnership between the Philippine and Australian racing industries continues to thrive. As more horses make their way to the Philippines in the coming months, the future looks bright for racing enthusiasts eager to witness the next generation of champions take to the track.