The Philippine Horseracing Industry

Horseracing in the Philippines traces its colorful history more than a hundred years ago, a purely social event and gathering of the crème de la crème of Filipino, Spanish and English families of Manila with the Spanish Governor of the Philippines and top church functionaries in attendance.

As a thrilling and challenging sport its rank of horse lovers in the islands increased simultaneously as breeding farms and racetracks sprouted in various parts of the world.

The Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM) was a result of the labor of love by men of prestige and honor to ensure the fair operation of racing as a sport at par with international standards. Horseracing cognoscentis and afficionados who form a very important sector successfully  sought its independence from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) by  virtue of PD 420  signed by by the late President Ferdinand Marcos on March 29, 1974, relegating only to the latter by virtue of  RA 309, the supervision and regulation of betting. It’s objective is to promote, direct and oversee the accelerated development and continued growth of horseracing under the aegis of the Office of the President.

The policy making collegial board of the PHILRACOM is composed of a Chairman and six Commissioners. Its executive office is headed by an Executive Director tasked to implement the policies approved by the Board and to supervise all aspects of horseracing. The powers of the PHILRACOM , AMONG OTHERS, includes the enforcement of laws, decrees and executive orders related to horseracing such as registration of racehorses, horseowners and associations, granting of permits for the holding of races, issuance of licenses to jockeys  trainers and racing officials and the supervision of all race meetings to  assure its integrity.

On racing days, the Board of Stewards of the Racing Clubs regulates and controls the conduct of races. Any decision, order or ruling by the Board of Stewards is deemed final and executory unless appealed to the racing club management throught its Chief Executive  or Operating Officer or Racing Manager within 72 hours. Their decisions shall be executory unless a petition for review is filed with the Philracom within 72 hours from the knowledge of such decisions, orders or rulings. The decision of the PHILRACOM is appealable to the Office of the President.

Venue

There are at present two venues for horseracing, the Manila Jockey Club and the Philippine Racing Club, both privately owned corporations founded in 1937 which derive their income from the 8.5% share of the total sales registered in horseracing. Since its business is vested with public interest, the Philracom is the government mandated agency to regulate it. The Clubs maintain one racetrack each and provides facilities to its patrons and other resources incidental to horseracing such  as stables, public and private viewing stands, booths, betting machines, closed circuit television monitors, parking lots and off track betting stations.

Betting Public

    The most important segment of the local horseracing industry, being its source of income is the betting public. Their continued patronage of the sport sustains the viable operation  of horseracing in the country. Betting generates income for the government. Of the Php 5,919 Billion sales registered in 2001, Php 880 Million in taxes were contributed to the national coffers.