Singapore Ends International Races

The Singapore Turf Club will no longer stage its G1 Singapore International Airlines Cup and G1 KrisFlyer Sprint, the club announced Monday. The SIA Cup was inaugurated in 2000 and was interrupted only in 2003 due to the SARS outbreak, while the KrisFlyer Sprint was first run in 2001 and was discontinued between 2003 and 2008.

The Singapore Turf Club issued a statement that read, “The Singapore Airlines International Cup (SIA Cup) and KrisFlyer International Sprint (KFIS) were introduced in 2000 and 2001, respectively, to achieve several objectives. These objectives [included] branding Singapore races internationally and uplifting the quality of Singapore horses and Singapore racing. Both international races, together with Singapore racing, have grown in stature and prestige over the years. As the objectives set out for the two races have been achieved, the Singapore Turf Club wishes to announce that the SIA Cup and KFIS will be discontinued.”

The SIA Cup has been won by such international stars as Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}); Gloria de Campeao (Brz) (Impression {Arg}) and Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal). The KrisFlyer Sprint honor roll includes sprint champions like Takeover Target (Aus) (Celtic Swing {GB}); Sacred Kingdom (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}); and Rocket Man (Aus) (Viscount {Aus}).