The state cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to shift horse racing activities to the 232-year-old Kunigal stud farm where BTC was offered 110 acres to build a race track. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO
Setting up a new racetrack for horses at the historic Kunigal Stud could be time- and cost-consuming for the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC), which has been asked to shift racing activities from the current premises to the High Grounds in Bengaluru within two years of the issuance of the GO.
While a two-year window is considered a tight timeline, the century-old club estimates that laying a new 2,200m to 2,400m track that meets international standards could cost up to ₹600 crore.
“Even if we halve the standards, we would still need at least ₹300 million. BTC does not have such in-house resources. We now have to look for corporate sponsorships or investments based on revenue sharing models and other ways to raise money,” said a member aware of the development.
No other option
Another member said they had no choice but to move to Kunigal as it was the nearest large plot available. “The government has decided on it. The main thing is to mobilize the money. We have yet to prepare a detailed report on the project,” he said. The two-year window is too short, the member said, adding that more time can be sought if necessary.
The cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to shift racing activities to the 232-year-old Kunigal stud farm, where BTC has been offered 110 acres to build a race track. An earlier move by the government in 2008 to provide about 80 acres at Doddajal on the outskirts of the city ran into legal problems as the identified land was a dried-up lake bed that could not be used for any other purpose.
Membership
Among other measures to raise money is the loosening of tightly held membership from the earlier 350 to the current 1,000. Governments and BTC have clashed several times in recent decades over membership, which is considered “premium” in the Bengaluru club. Over the course of a century, with nominal increases, the club’s membership reached 350 until the club decided to increase it to 1,000 last year. The club could consider expanding the off-ground betting centers that are currently at eight centers, including one each in Mangaluru and Tumakar.
While BTC’s management committee is expected to meet next week to discuss the proposals approved by the government, members are skeptical of the government’s move to provide four acres, including a heritage building, for club activities at the current site. “We have asked for six acres because we also need space for parking. That requires some discussion with the government,” said another member.
Process in court
According to sources, BTC will now have to approach the Supreme Court with GO and file a compromise motion informing the court of its intention to withdraw the case the club had earlier filed against the relocation. “We think that once the compromise petition is filed, the land will be handed over for development and the two-year period will kick in,” the member said.
What will remain in Bengaluru?
Until the new track at the Kunigal stud is ready, racing activities will continue at the BTC complex. With the relocation of the racing operations, BTC will have bookmakers and bag operations in addition to the club facilities in Bengaluru. Although BTC had asked for up to six acres in the current facility, the cabinet approved four acres on Thursday.
Why was the current location selected?
BTC has been operating on 83 acres at the present site since 1923 when the land was granted by the former Maharaja of Mysore. “Race tracks must have good natural drainage. In fact, the site for the current race track was chosen because it was the highest point in Bengaluru, hence the name High Grounds,” a senior BTC member pointed out.
Published – 13 Feb 2026 21:58 IST