Landmark Dates in Philippine Horseracing

Philippine Pony Era (Horses of Sulu, Indian and Chinese Lineage)

1867 - Earliest record of racing in a straight-away course.
1867 - Founding of the Manila Jockey Club by Governor General Jose dela Gandara y Navarro and the socios              fundadores.
1880 - Transfer of site to new oval at Hippodromo de Sta. Mesa at Sta. Mesa district
1881 - English style racing were held twice a year for four successive days under the aegis of Governor General              Eulogio Despujol.
1898 - Races were suspended due to the outbreak of the Spanish American War.

Arab Horse Era

1899 - Resumption of races at the Sta. Mesa Hippodrome.
1900 - Transfer of the Manila Jockey Club to its present site in San Lazaro at the Sta. Cruz district.
1901- Democratization of horseracing during the time of American Governor William Howard Taft, i.e. people             from all social strata began crowding the hippodrome on racedays.
1903 - Betting was introduced and authorized.
1930 - Clamor for better horses results in the importation of foreign stock under the auspices of the Bureau of              Agriculture.
1930 - Creation of the Bureau of Animal Industry which continued importation of Arab horses.

Thoroughbred Era

1935 - Signing of Republic Act No. 4130 authorizing the holding of Sweepstakes Races.
1937 - Incorporation of the Manila Jockey Club.
1937 - Organization of the Philippine Racing Club, Inc. for racing exclusively for superior breeds.
1939 - Enactment of Commonwealth Act No. 156, later amended by Commonwealth Act No. 484 enjoining the              Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc. to hold annual National Grand Derby Races to encourage the              breeding of local horses.
1948 - President Elpidio S. Quirino approves Republic Act. No. 309 creating the Commission on Races to               regulate racing.
1951 - President Quirino signs Executive Order No. 392 creating the Games and Amusements Board to                regulate public gaming and enforce laws against illegal gambling.
1964 - The Philippines hosts the 4th Asian Racing Conference.
1965 - President Ferdinand E. Marcos approves Republic Act No. 4618 creating the National Stud Farm to               prevent illegal importation of racehorses, improve the breed of local horses and perform other functions               related to racing.
1969 - Republic Act No. 6115 regulating the distribution of gross wager sales on horseracing approved.
1972 - Congress enacts Republic Act Nos. 6631 and 6632 granting franchises to the Manila Jockey Club, Inc.              and the Philippine Racing Club, Inc. to construct, operate and maintain their own racetracks for a period              of 25 years.
1974 - The Philippines hosts the 12th Asian Racing Conference.
1974 - Marcos signs Presidential Decree No. 420 creating the Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM) to              promote and direct the development of horseracing both as a sport and a source of revenue and              employment.