150 Years of Racing Heritage to International Excellence

Horse racing in the Philippines has had a long and colorful history dating back to 1867, when the Manila Jockey Club (MJC) was founded by the Spanish born Philippine Governor General, Jose de la Gandara y Navarro.

The Manila Jockey Club was initially set up as sport and recreational club for the prominent and wealthy Spanish, Filipino and English families, that included the Ayala, Zobel and Tuason clans. The early races were originally fun runs with no betting, and was known as the ‘Pony Era’ with Philippine ponies of Chinese, Indian and Suluan descent. The races were run on a straight course that ran from the Basilica of San Sebastian up to the Quiapo Church. The jockeys for the official races were exclusive to club members, with prizes for the winning jockeys including a gold or silver medal and even ornamental watches.

Both racetracks ran successful operations for over a century, before being relocated out of the growing metropolis of Manila. The Manila Jockey Club Incorporated (MJCI) was first to move to their new racetrack the San Lazaro Leisure Park at Carmona, Cavite in 2003. Then the Philippine Racing Club Incorporated (PRCI) followed suit, when they moved out of the city to their newly constructed Santa Ana Park complex at Naic, Cavite.

The two clubs were then joined by the Metro Manila Turf Club (MMTCI) in February 2013, when they opened their horse racing facility at Malvar, Batangas, giving the nation three major racing venues.

Some years on all three clubs were already suffering an economic downturn in betting revenue, before being hit by the Covid -19 Pandemic in January 2020. By Presidential Decree, all horse racing was suspended in the Philippines for a period of six months with the imposition of community quarantine, before again resuming latter half of that year.

Emerging out of the Covid Pandemic in 2022 and facing huge operational losses, the time-honored Manila Jockey Club, and the Philippines Racing Club, both closed their doors, deciding instead to pursue the more lucrative real estate ventures.

That left the Malvar racetrack at Batangas operated by the Metro Manila Turf Club, as the only track operating in the Philippines. With the long-term viability of the Malvar operation not certain due to leasing concerns, the future for the Philippines horse racing industry looked forlorn.

Fortunately, some years prior to these closures, a small group of non-partisan passionate owners and breeders had formed The Hapi Group, dedicated to the further promotion of horse racing. In 2017 they held their very first racing festival in honor of the late Congressman Enrique “Henry” Cojuangco.

Henry Cojuangco was known endearingly as “The Happy Horsemen” or “Mr. Happy,” by his wide circle of friends and associates. He was a genuinely warm and sincere gentleman, with a ready smile and charm, who was equally at home in the Halls of Congress, or mixing with the Bayang Karerista at the racetrack.

Like his brother Eduardo “Danding” Cojaungco, Henry shared a deep love for thoroughbred horse racing. “Danding” Cojuangco was a giant in Philippine racing who pioneered the establishment of the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom), as well as branching out into the Australian Racing Industry with the famed Gooree Stud in NSW Australia.

As well as Gooree Stud breeding a number celebrated racehorses, “Danding” Cojuangco raced such great racehorses and sires such as Desert War, Northern Meteor, and Don Eduardo. As well, in his capacity as Chairman and Chief Executive of San Miguel Corporation he became a major sponsor to the Australian Jockey Club, and 2012 was the first Asian person, and to this day still the only one, to be inducted into Australia’s Racing Hall of Fame.

Henry Cojuangco was also involved in thoroughbred racing and breeding in Australia with his major winners being the Group 1 winning mare Amanpour, along with Turf Express and Gold Water. At home locally, Henry had great success with many quality racehorses, the most celebrated being Skywalker, the 1983 Triple Crown Champion.

For one small group of owner-breeders their very close friendship with both “Danding” and Henry Cojuangco, led them to form the Hapi Racing Group, that was eponymously named in honor of their mentor “The Happy Horseman” Henry. The Hapi Group was put together to share the fellowship and camaraderie of a small group of dedicated owners and breeders, and would later provide the catalyst and inspiration for an international racetrack to be built, with the goal of elevating Philippine Horse Racing to the world stage.

The staging of the annual Hapi Racing Festival and the Henry Cojuangco Memorial Cup, not only pays homage to a true Filipino horseman, it stands to share his passion for the sport, and encourages the fun and pleasure of breeding and racing thoroughbreds; and encourages new players into the industry.

During the Pandemic years (2020 – 2023) The Hapi Group were deeply concerned by the inevitable closures of the nation’s two oldest race clubs. Being mindful of the long-term repercussions, and the sustainability of the Philippines horse racing industry, this group of visionaries decided to take action.

At a special meeting convened at Mr. Elmer de Leon’s Bell Racing Farm, the following multi -award winning owners and breeders attended, Messrs Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, Oliver “Jojo” Valesquez, Manny Santos, Raymund Puyat, Manny Viray, and Ramon Balatbat. This group of seven became the founding Members and Directors of The Hapi Jockey Club Incorporated.

Soon after, the multi award winning owner and breeder Leyte Vice-Governor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier Jr, joined the formidable line up of directors, when he became a major investor in the Hapi Group. Mr. Javier, owner and founder of Andok’s Litson Corporation, has been a constant in Philippines racing for over 35 years, and as a breeder has produced such champions as Wind Blown, Strong Material and Empire King.

The Hapi Group dedicated themselves to not only guaranteeing the long-term future of the Philippines Racing and Breeding Industry, but to take a bold step forward and bring the sport up to a standard of international excellence. It was then proposed to build a world class racing complex, designed to showcase Philippines racing to the rest of the world.

Soon after, HJCI were able to secure the rights to a 50-hectare property at Padre Garcia, Batangas. This was the first step in the development of a new state of the art racing complex. They then set about securing the approval of a franchise to operate a racing facility.

The historic groundbreaking ceremony for the new thoroughbred racing complex took place at Padre Garcia on March 3, 2022. The festive occasion was attended by leading officials from both government regulators the Philippines Racing Commission (Philracom), and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), as well as local executives from Municipality of Padre Garcia and the Province of Batangas.

Also invited to the event were the members of the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners (MARHO), the Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization (PHILTOBO), Klub Don Juan de Manila, as well as the top officials from the Philippine Trainers’ Association and the New Philippine Jockeys Association. Representatives of the Manila Jockey Club, Philippine Racing Club and Metro Manila Turf were also in attendance to extend their blessings to the nation’s newest racing complex.

At the ceremony Chairman Oliver “Jojo” Velasquez made the following commitment, “This new racetrack will be managed by industry stakeholders and professionals, with the experience and the commitment to develop the sport to its full potential. With this historic development, all horse racing aficionados in the country can rest assure that their favorite spectator sport and leisure activity, is here to stay for the long haul.”

Hence the new racecourse became known as, “The Horsemen’s Track.” Its foundation becoming the pathway to a dynamic new era in Philippine racing.

Situated on the rolling plains of Padre Garcia with the picturesque backdrop of Mount Malepunyo, the racetrack is right in the heart of the Philippines horse breeding country, near the rapidly expanding area of Lipa City, Batangas.

The track was laid down by highly acclaimed USA racetrack designer Steve Woods, whose expertise has been used at major USA racetracks such as Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Oak Tree.

The centerpiece of the new facility are two twin oval sand tracks complete with vertical drainage, with a five percent angled camber on the main outer track that is 1600 meters in circumference. The inside course that serves as a multi-purpose training track and racetrack, is 1525 meters in length.

The tracks are fully equipped for night racing with state-of-the-art lighting provided by Musco Sports & Entertainment Lighting (USA), the world-renowned providers of lighting for sporting and entertainment arenas around the globe. The entire complex is powered inhouse by two high volage diesel-powered on-site generators, with a Cummins 2-1MVA for Track Lighting and a Cummins 3-750KVA for the Grandstands and Administration Complex.

For the first stage 1200 ultramodern stables were built. These box stalls are set in large high ceiling barns with center walkways, to provide maximum airflow and cooling for the comfort of horses. At present another 600 stables are under construction, and, when fully completed the complex will have a stabling capacity of 2000 horses. The stabling barns also include staff accommodation, to allow around the clock care for horses.

The stabling complex will be complimented, by a specialized horseshoe shaped equine pool, for the conditioning and rehabilitation of horses. On course farrier services, and 24/7 veterinary services and emergency facilities are available. Future projects will include an Apprentice Jockeys’ Academy of the highest standard, for the training and development of our future generations of riders.

The Hapi Jockey Club Incorporated will trade under the banner of the Philippine Jockey Club, and is spearheaded by Chairman Oliver “Jojo” Velasquez, Vice Chairman Leyte Vice-Governor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier Jr, Treasurer Elmer De Leon, President Raymund Puyat, Corporate Secretary - Director Manny Viray, and Director Manny Santos.

The Philippine Jockey Club are committed to preserving the rich heritage of Philippines racing, and to carrying that tradition forward for future generations to embrace and be proud of.

Our aim is to provide a racing product of international excellence, that will showcase our industry to the rest of the world. Our motto of “Fairness to All” exemplifies our strong commitment to providing world class horse racing, with the highest standards of integrity. The Club will be the doorway to international accreditation for the Philippine Racing and Breeding Industry, and paves the way for overseas expansion and employment opportunities

We aim to provide our racegoers with a memorable and thrilling race day experience, in the surrounds of first-class amenities, and look forward to introducing more newcomers to this exciting and glamorous sport.

Join us here at the Philippine Jockey Club on this historic journey, as we take Philippine racing to the rest of the world.