By Anne Das
The Perak Turf Club (PRTC) recently hosted its inaugural Perak Turf Club Community Shield Race, marking the beginning of what promises to be an annual feature race with prize money of RM100,000. This new event is a key part of the Club’s broader vision, aimed at not only promoting horse racing but also fostering a deeper connection with the local community.
Chairman Dato John Lim emphasized the significance of the Community Shield race as part of PRTC’s ongoing efforts to become more than just a racing venue. “Our vision is to turn Perak Turf Club into a vibrant hub with sports, leisure, and dining experiences,” he said. With renovations already in progress, the Club aims to offer attractions that will elevate it to a must-visit destination, much like Ipoh Old Town, for both locals and tourists
The guest of honour, YBhg, Orang Kaya Kaya Panglima Kinta Seri Amar Bangsa Diraja Dato’ AB Wahab Bin Dato’ Seri Azizul Hassan, Orang Besar Jajahan Kinta, presented the Community Shield to winning connections. The race was won by Quicken Away, trained by I. Ismadi and ridden by jockey L. De Souza.
The race day included an exclusive luncheon attended by local dignitaries, bankers, business leaders, and community figures. Many of the guests were experiencing the thrill of live horse racing for the first time, and they had the opportunity to see firsthand how racing blends with a social lifestyle.
The Club also welcomed a special delegation from Vietnam, keen on learning about the operations of horse racing as they explore introducing the sport in their own country. This international interest demonstrates PRTC’s growing reach as it continues to sell its races abroad and build foreign trade relationships within the thoroughbred racing industry.
The inaugural Perak Turf Club Community Shield brought together an exciting day of racing and the Club’s vision to transform into a major social hub in Ipoh. As part of this effort, the Club hosted four additional trophy races in collaboration with its foreign trade associates, strengthening international partnerships in the sport’s growth.
Dato John Lim concluded the event by expressing his gratitude to the many guests and community leaders in attendance. He also shared his optimism that this inaugural race would mark the beginning of an exciting and evolving future for the Club.
For inquiries regarding future events and collaborations, contact Perak Turf Club at 05-254 4132 or email mok@perakturfclub.my .
