1937 |
A group of Filipino and American businessmen organized the Santa Ana Turf Club, forerunner of what is now Philippine Racing Club, Incorporated. They introduced thoroughbred horse racing. |
1939 |
The Philippine Tuberculosis Society started a yearly National Grand Derby fashioned after the famous races in England and in the USA. It became a much awaited event among horse racing enthusiasts. |
1942-1945
|
World War II and the occupation of Manila by the Japanese halted horse racing activities. |
1946 |
Horse racing resumed following the liberation of Manila. |
1947 |
Majority ownership of the Santa Ana Club passed on to the Reyes family.
|
1972 |
The Santa Ana Club, now renamed Philippine Racing Club, was granted a 25-year franchise through RA 6632 to operate a race track and conduct horse races. |
1993 |
A computerized totalisator system was introduced.
|
1994 |
The present management took over PRCI operation. Off-track betting stations numbered eleven. |
1995 |
RA 7953 extended PRCI’s franchise for another 25 years. |
1996 |
A 147-hectare property in Cavite was acquired for a future relocation of the Santa Ana race track. A joint venture with Sta. Lucia Realty and Development Corporation was formed with a 65-hectare portion allotted for a future racecourse. Site development on the racetrack commenced shortly thereafter. |
2000 |
Live satellite telecast of the PRCI races was launched. Provincial offtrack betting stations were opened.
|
2001 |
PRCI marked its fifth year dominance of the horse racing industry. Total sales hit over P3 billion. OTBs numbered over 200. Outside of Metro Manila, OTBs covered Pampanga, Batangas, Bulacan,Laguna, Cavite, Nueva Ecija, Quezon Province and Rizal. |
2005 |
PRCI’s betting turnover hit all-time high of P4.6 billion. New OTB markets opened in Bicol, Ilocos Norte and Negros Occidental. |
2007 |
PRCI resumed development of the Santa Ana Park racecourse in Sta. Lucia’s Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park in Cavite. Site facilities include: a 1600-m racetrack, with provision for a second 1400-mtrack; a stable complex consisting of 78 stable building clusters for over 1,000 horses with an equine pool; and a four-storey grandstand. |
2008 |
The last race day of the year at Santa Ana Park brought the curtains down on the Makati racetrack.
|
2009 |
The new year saw the transfer of PRCI racing operation to the Naic racecourse. Additional facilities were built including separate dormitory facilities for PRCI male and female employees involved in the racing operation and barracks housing for stable personnel. Stable lots are offered for long-term lease to horse owners who prefer to build their own stables. At year-end, two horse owners have built their own stable buildings. Horse population at the end of the year numbered close to 1,000. |