Royal Turf Club to commence races on 20 March

Racing in Sri Lanka will see a new dimension to the sport emerging with the formation of the Royal Turf Club, which will see a resumption of local horseracing, reminiscent of its glorious past when the Royal Turf Club under the guidance of CEO and Chairman of Stipendiary Stewards Wayne Wood, will conduct its inaugural race on 20 March.

According to Wood, a total of eight races will be run on 20 March with the RTC Premier Cup being awarded to the winner of the Class 1 Stakes 1600 Metre race.

The other races that would be run are, Class 2 Stakes 1400 Metres, Class 3 Stakes 1400 Metres, Class 4 Stakes 1200 Metres, Class 5 Stakes 1,200 Metres, 3 Year Old Maiden Stakes 1100 Metres, 3/4 Thoroughbred Stakes 1000 Metres and 1/2 Thoroughbred Stakes 1000 Metres.

The Royal Turf Club has to date made a sizeable investment to develop the infrastructure, which includes renovating the track and replacing the track railings, renovating the grand stand, steward room, jockey’s rooms, as well as all other race course buildings which were in need of extensive repairs.

The RTC intends to continue with its program of development by investing in the race track and attendant infrastructure over the next two years, in partnership with foreign investors, with a view to making Sri Lanka and Nuwara Eliya, a racing hub for the region.

Headed by equestrian President of the Royal Turf Club Suranjith Premadasa, the other office bearers of the Royal Turf Club are Secretary Lucille Dahanayake and Treasurer Nishitha Rupasinghe, while the Committee comprises of Ranjith Dahanayake, Nihara Jayatilleke and Sudharshana Deshapriya.

As part of their long-term development strategy, in addition to Wood, the RTC have also secured the services of Sinclair Marshall as Clerk of the Course and Stipendiary Steward.

Under the guidance of these two renowned names in the global world of horseracing and the experienced Royal Turf Club committee, it is the aim of the club to elevate and uplift the standard of horseracing in Sri Lanka to new heights and bring back the traditions of this gentlemanly sport.