Those who remember the Singapore Turf Club (STC) in its heyday might have felt they were transported back to the year 2000 when they walked through the turnstiles on Saturday.

Around 10,000 spectators arrived at Kranji racecourse to bid farewell to a 182-year-old racing legacy.

The crowd was reminiscent of the years just after the club moved to Kranji from its old home at Bukit Timah, long-time punter Steven Lim, 75, told the Post.

“It was always this full because there wasn’t any other place to bet, but now there’s a lot of options,” said Lim.

“I will miss coming here because its different from watching racing and betting at home, but nothing can be done.”

In July last year the government announced that, after years of falling attendances and revenue, the STC – the sole racing body in the city state – would be closed so that 160 hectares of land could be redeveloped for housing, among other things, in land-scarce Singapore.

Saturday’s finale, headlined by the 100th running of the Grand Singapore Gold Cup, saw a resurgence of interest as the public snapped up their free tickets.

One racing enthusiast who wanted to be known only as Wong, a 67-year-old retired cleaner, has been coming to race days since the club was located at Bukit Timah. It relocated to Kranji in 1999.

“For us old people there’s not much reason to leave the house and nothing much for us to do, so I like to come here and see my friends. I’m very sad it is closing, but nothing can be done,” he said.

Meanwhile, from the VIP suites on the fourth floor of the club overlooking the track, Lim Siah Mong, owner of Lim’s Stable, sat alone with his wife with a pencil in hand as he analysed his horse’s chances in the next race.

Asked about the closure, Lim joked about having more time and money to spend on more relaxing hobbies.

“I just feel like I have lost something that I have enjoyed for over 20 years. Maybe its time to move on to something else and find a new hobby,” said one of Singapore’s most prolific owners.

Down at the parade ring, Singaporean trainer Jason Ong – who has spent 14 years training at Kranji – said Saturday’s turn out was a glimpse of what could have been.

“All of us trainers and jockeys knew that there was so much potential for Singapore racing. People love coming here, but its just that the potential wasn’t tapped,” said Ong.

Ong, who has 50 horses in his stable, plans to train in Malaysia and will commute from Singapore. He noted that prize money is about a third lower than in the city state.

“They have quite a good vision there to improve the racing and increase the prize money from next year. In Asia its really only Hong Kong and Malaysia left, so hopefully it’ll take off in Malaysia,” said Ong.

As the bugle sounded for the final race, spectators lined the stands and some even climbed on seats for a better vantage point.

Smart Star stormed home for a surprise victory, edging out Lim’s Saltoro and Istataba as the crowd cheered from the grandstand for the last time. Favourite to win the race, Lim’s Kosciuszko, finished fifth.

Members of the racing community were spotted embracing each other and wiping tears from their eyes after the race.

“I’m sure everyone who’s riding, training or involved here today will find their path and be very thankful to what Singapore gave them, but it is a sad realisation that this is the last race you’ll see at this beautiful track,” said retired jockey Danny Beasley, who was one of the stars of Kranji and now lives in Australia with his Singaporean wife and children.

“I came from Australia for three months but I stayed for 15 years. I fell in love with it as soon as I came. It was the country itself and for me, the turf club was just a magical place back in 2007.

“I’ll be forever grateful for the path [Singapore racing] took me down, the people that I’ve come to meet over the years and the friendships. I just felt that I had to be here today to say thank you.”