| The Horsemen's Track | |
| Location: | Padre Garcia, Batangas, Philippines |
| Owner: | Hapi Jockey Club |
| Opened: | 2024 |
The Horsemen's Track is a horse racing complex under construction in Padre Garcia, Batangas, Philippines. It is owned and to be operated by the Hapi Jockey Club.
The construction of The Horsemen's Track was followed by the granting of a 25-year franchise to the Hapi Jockey Club, Inc. (HJCI) by the Philippine government through Republic Act 11649 which took effect in March 2022. The franchise allowed the jockey club to operate race tracks in Batangas, Laguna and Cavite. Groundbreaking for The Horsemen's Track in Padre Garcia, Batangas took place on May 3, 2022.[1] The venue is projected to open in 2024.[2]
On February 8, 2024, the “Philippine Jockey Club,” in a welcome ceremony, announced the investment of Leyte Vice-Governor, Andok's's owner, Leonardo M. Javier Jr and wife Leyte's 2nd congressional district, Congresswoman Lolita Javier. The landmark event was graced by HJCI Chairman Oliver “Jojo” Velasquez, HJCI Vice Chairman-Treasurer Engr. Elmer de Leon, HJCI President Raymond Puyat and HJCI Corporate Secretary-Director Manny Viray.[3]
Philippine Jockey Club Director, Manny Viray, a bloodstock agent confirmed that the owners group invested £13.56m/€15.87m to fund the initial phase of the sand-based racecourse. It is set to open in the last quarter of 2024 or as early as October. It can accept 1,400 horses in training, with 1,200 boxes. From 2017, Philippine horse owners bought Magic Millions National Yearling Sale's 86 horses at A$1,729,000 (£908,000/€1,060,000) and 46 horses at A$2,028,500 in the 2YOs Training Sales. Equine International Airfreight delivered these animals to the Philippines.[4]
The Horsemen's Track will be patterned after the Churchill Downs in Louisville, United States which will reportedly be a departure from other race tracks in the Philippines. The twin oval track will have a length of 1600m (5,200feet), a tunnel, as well as a gallery for spectators. It will be built on a 50ha land.[2] Manila Jockey Club leases its San Lazaro Leisure Park horse racing facilities in Carmona, Cavite, to Hapi Jockey Club Inc. (HJCI)[5]