Philippine horseracing on track

MANILA, Philippines — Despite all the challenges caused by the deadly pandemic, the Philippine Racing Commission has taken all steps to make sure the horseracing industry remains on the right track.

“We (industry) were able to survive,” Philracom chairman Reli de Leon told the online PSA Forum yesterday.

De Leon said Philippine horseracing, which provides over P1 billion in yearly contributions to the national government and over 12,000 jobs, is looking at a fruitful year for everybody.

“We will grow even bigger than what we expect,” said De Leon, who was joined in the forum by Philracom executive director Dr. Andrew Buencamino and his deputy Ronald Corpuz.

De Leon said the COVID-19 outbreak last year led to the cancellation of races for six months. But somehow, things found some sense of normalcy through big races toward the end of 2020.

“So far this year, we’ve had sales of around P500 million. And we expect the sales to reach P3 billion by December,” he said.

Races are held Thursdays to Sundays with the schedule evenly divided among the Manila Jockey Club, Inc. in Carmona, Cavite; Philippine Racing Club, Inc. in Naic, Cavite; and Metro Manila Turf Club, Inc. in Malvar, Batangas.

De Leon said Philracom has also gained headway with its online or digital betting.