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Macau Horse Racing Has Ended. What Happened, and Where Can an Owner Race Now?

For more than forty years, Taipa had racing. Then, within two and a half months in early 2024, it did not. Here is the short history, and the practical map for an owner in Macau or South China today.

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By , bloodstock agent for owners worldwide · · 7 min read

Facts are sourced at the end and were checked on 25 October 2026. No betting tips, nothing here is financial, tax or legal advice, and no horse in this article is for sale.

Kranji Racecourse, Singapore, empty in December 2024 after the final race meeting
Kranji, Singapore, after its last race in 2024: the same year Macau stopped racing. Illustrative, not a Silk Road Bloodstock horse or property. Photo: LN9267, "Kranji Racecourse 05-12-2024", via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

No, Macau no longer has horse racing. The Macau Jockey Club held its final race meeting at Taipa on Saturday 30 March 2024, and its concession ended on 1 April 2024; the racecourse returned to the government. The club had about 289 horses to rehome within a year, and by March 2025, 177 had been shipped through quarantine to Doumen in Zhuhai, mainland China. An owner in Macau or South China who wants to race now has to look abroad: Hong Kong (hardest to enter), Malaysia, Australia, Europe or the UAE.

Why did horse racing in Macau end?

Years of falling crowds and losses. In January 2024 the government said the concession would end early; the last meeting was on 30 March 2024.

  • The decline: trainers reported the horse population falling from about 1,200 in the late 1990s to about 200, and reports put the club's accumulated losses above US$300 million.
  • The decision: the government cited the club not meeting a condition to spend 1.5 billion patacas on development; the club itself had asked in 2023 to end the contract. Racing, officials said, no longer met society's development needs.
  • The end: the last card was run on Saturday 30 March 2024; the concession ended on 1 April 2024, and the Taipa racecourse went back to the government.

That made 2024 a hard year for racing in the region: Singapore's Kranji raced for the last time on 5 October 2024, and Malaysia's Penang Turf Club followed on 31 May 2025.

What happened to the Macau racehorses?

The club had about a year to move its 289 horses. Reports say 177 were shipped to Doumen in Zhuhai through a quarantine base by March 2025; reports did not say where all the others went.

Welfare groups raised concerns about where the horses would end up, and the reports we checked do not give a complete account of every horse. We say only what the sources say. If you owned a horse in Macau and want help with its next move, abroad or into retirement, email us and we will tell you honestly what is possible.

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Where can an owner in Macau or South China race a horse today?

Abroad. Hong Kong is the nearest but hardest to enter; Malaysia is the closest open option; Australia, Europe and the UAE are the deep markets.

WhereGetting inGood for
Hong KongClub membership and a permit from the yearly ballot; overseas owners only by selection. See how to own a racehorse in Hong KongThe richest racing in the region, if you can get in
MalaysiaRegister with the Malayan Racing Association and a licensed trainer. See Malaysia horse racing 2026-27Closest, cheapest, modest prize money
AustraliaOwners register with the state racing body through their trainerDeep racing, sprinters, big syndicate culture
Britain, Ireland, FranceRegister with the racing authority (in Britain, the BHA); your trainer helpsThe deepest racing and sales in the world
The UAERegister with the Emirates Racing AuthorityA winter season that pairs well with Europe

Clients in mainland China: our page for clients in China explains which of these routes is realistic, and how payments work.

How do I buy a horse to race abroad from Macau?

Choose the country first, then the trainer, then the horse. We search worldwide, vet independently and negotiate to your written limit; you pay the seller directly.

  1. Pick the country that fits your budget and how often you want to watch.
  2. Pick a licensed trainer there. Licensed trainers train; we help you choose and supervise the plan.
  3. Brief us: budget, distance, the level you want to race at.
  4. Buy, vet, ship. You pay the seller or sale company directly, by bank transfer or Western Union where the seller accepts it. Shipping and quarantine: see racehorse transport.

Budgets from US$50,000 (about HK$392,000, S$63,900, ¥7.84 million, RM204,200). Our fee is 5%, minimum US$5,000, agreed in writing.

Currency lines are approximate, at mid-market rates on 25 October 2026 (1 US$ = about HK$7.84, S$1.28, ¥157, RM4.08). We quote our fee in US dollars, in writing.

A plain word before you buy

We cannot promise a win, a rating, a permit or a price. Nobody honest can, and we never give betting tips. Owning a racehorse is a passion, not a way to make money. What we can promise is an honest view of your options, a careful worldwide search, independent vets, a written limit and plain reports by email. Licensed trainers train; we help you choose one and supervise the plan.

Ready to talk about a horse? Email us first.

Email us your budget, where you want to race and when. We reply within 24 hours. If it fits, we source the best horses from all over the world, check them with independent vets and negotiate to your written limit. Budgets from US$50,000.

Email us now Send us your brief Book a free 20-minute call

Email info@silkroadbloodstock.com first, from anywhere in the world. Phone +971 52 311 2385 second. WhatsApp as backup.

5% fee (min US$5,000), agreed in writing. You pay the seller or sale company directly, by bank transfer; your money never goes through us. If we are ever paid by both sides, both are told in writing first.

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The Silk Road Letter

Twice a month: the sales worth watching, one buying tip and one real market number (plus the odd catalogue joke). Free with it: our 2026-27 sale calendar (PDF) and a one-page guide to what a racehorse really costs. We email a link to confirm first. Unsubscribe in one click.

Frequently asked questions

Does Macau still have horse racing?

No. The Macau Jockey Club held its final race meeting at Taipa Racecourse on Saturday 30 March 2024, and its concession ended on 1 April 2024. The racecourse returned to the Macau government.

Why did the Macau Jockey Club close?

After years of falling crowds and losses, the government ended the concession early, citing the club not meeting a condition to spend 1.5 billion patacas on development; the club had also asked to end the contract in 2023.

What happened to the Macau racehorses?

The club had about a year to move its 289 horses. By March 2025, 177 had been shipped through a quarantine base to Doumen in Zhuhai, mainland China, according to reports; the reports did not account for every other horse.

Where can someone from Macau race a horse now?

Abroad: Hong Kong (Club membership and a permit, hard to get), Malaysia (the closest open option), Australia, Britain, Ireland, France or the UAE. Each has its own owner registration through the local racing authority.

How much does Silk Road Bloodstock charge?

5% of the purchase price, minimum US$5,000, agreed in writing before we start. Budgets from US$50,000. You pay the seller directly; your money never goes through us.

Spotted an error? Email info@silkroadbloodstock.com and we will fix it within 48 hours.

Sources

Checked 25 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates are set by each racing authority and sale company and can change; always check the official site. Figures from news reports are as reported. Past prices are not a forecast.