Located in the heart of the IT Capital of India, Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) is popular among the wealthy and the elite. For almost a century, it has been the premier destination in the city for top-class horse racing. Being in the centre of the city, it is easily accessible from all around it. Moreover restaurants, bars and shopping places abound near Bangalore Turf Club. If you are staying at a centrally located hotel in Bangalore, make sure to visit BTC when a race is being organised.

Read ahead to know about the history, features, entry fees and timings and other aspects of the place:

In the Article

Bangalore Turf Club Information

Location

Gandhinagar, Bangalore

Type

Race club

Founding Year

1920

Timings

N/A

Entry

Members and race goers

Area

85 acres

Nearest Railway Station

KSR Bengaluru City Junction

Nearest Metro Station

Cubbon Park (Purple Line)

Distance from Bangalore Airport

33.1 km

Bangalore Turf Club: History 

Though horse racing in the city started becoming popular as far back as the 1570s, it was not until 1920 that the turf club was founded. Four stewards, by the name of Sir Leslie Miller, Major RHOD Paterson, C.N Suryanarain Row and Major JM Holmes, met and decided to establish a horse racing club. At that time, the club was to have 30 permanent members and unlimited stand members. The club was inaugurated on May 20, 1921, and on September 9, 1923, the Maharaja of Mysore granted it additional land. The BTC raised funds for the British Army during WWII, by not distributing the prize money of several races and cancelling extravagant events like a luncheon for the stewards and a ball. 

Bangalore Turf Club: Features 

Laid out in an area of 85 acres, BTC is one of the smaller horse racing clubs in the country. Still, the managing committee has made good use of the land, by establishing the main grass track and three training tracks, apart from stands and offices, enclosures, training schools, equine swimming pool, 1,040 stables, walking rings, amateur riding school and veterinary hospital. The ovular racecourse measures 1950 metres and has four sharp turns and prominent gradients. Additionally, the track has a relatively short straight, which, combined with the steep gradients and sharp turns, truly test the horses well as the riders. 

Lesser-Known Facts about Bangalore Turf Club 

  • Apart from horse racing, the BTC has also supported polo, hunting and several charities
  • The steepest drop along the track is of 43 feet, within a distance of 100 metres
  • The Maharaja of Idar, Maharaja Gaekwar of Baroda and Maharaja of Cooch Behar were some of the prominent horse owners associated with the BTC.
  • Races take place over a period of eight months, divided into the Summer and Winter seasons

Attractions near Bangalore Turf Club 

  • Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park (950 m)
  • Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium (1.1 km)
  • National Gallery of Modern Art (1.1 km)
  • Vidhana Soudha (1.5 km)
  • Cubbon Park (1.7 km)
  • M Chinnaswamy Stadium (1.9 km)
  • Bangalore Palace (2.4 km)
  • Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (2.5 km)
  • St Patrick’s Church (3.2 km)
  • St Mary’s Basilica (2.6 km)
  • St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral (3.7 km)
  • St John’s Church (3.9 km)
  • Halasuru Lake (4.3 km)

Once you are done with witnessing a high-octane race, you can check out the several shopping places in Bangalore nearby, such as Mantri Square Mall, MG Road, Commercial Street and Brigade Road. Additionally, if you are looking for some incredible restaurants or night out places in Bangalore, you won’t have to go far.