The Singapore International Racing Festival (SIRF) starts today at One Raffles Place and will stretch through to May 17 when the two highly-anticipated international races – the Singapore Airlines International Cup (SIA Cup) and KrisFlyer International Sprint (KFIS) – will be run at the Singapore Racecourse before an international audience.
Organised by the Singapore Turf Club (STC), racing enthusiasts and members of the public alike can look forward to an exciting line up of fun-filled festival events such as roadshows and concerts to be held at various locations this year.
Fourteen Turf Belles, selected through a rigorous talent search and groomed for their brand ambassador role during the Festival, will make their debut public appearances at the SIRF roadshows taking place at One Raffles Place from April 23-24 and ION Orchard from May 2-3. Donned in the jockey silk colors of the past 14 SIA Cup winners, the Turf Belles will join staff volunteers from STC in the “Caps for Charity” initiative to sell specially-designed SIA Cup caps for a worthy cause.
This year will also see STC deploying a horse riding simulator at the roadshows. The simulator is used to train jockeys in their riding capabilities, and members of the public will now get a chance to take a ride on it for a nominal fee. All proceeds from the sales of caps and the simulator rides will be donated to the Club’s adopted charity, Melrose Home to provide essential funding towards the charity’s Food Fund to assist with the children’s daily meal needs.
Moreover, as part of the SG50 celebrations this year, STC will also be staging a Music Festival in the all-weather Parade Ring at the racecourse in Kranji on April 25. The SIRF will end on a high note with the running of the two International Group One races – the SIA Cup and KFIS – at the Singapore Racecourse on May 17. Racegoers can also experience the festive atmosphere first-hand at the Marquee with the Party@The Lawn package at S$240 per person. Package holders will enjoy light tea followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner spread, with free flow of soft drinks, juices, beer and wine, right next to the exciting action taking place on the tracks.
