Royal Calcutta Turf Club: Horses, races & old-world charm: Kolkata’s lasting love for the turf club

The Royal Calcutta Turf Club stands as a living archive of Kolkata’s sporting and social history. Once defined by grand race days, high society gatherings, and a deep-rooted equestrian culture, the club sits at a pivotal juncture – balancing legacy with a push for accessibility, younger membership, and new ownership models. Conversations with members and horse owners suggest it is not just preserving tradition but reimagining its future.

How fractional ownership is redefining access to racing
The defining shift in the club’s current chapter is how it’s rethinking access to the sport. Traditional ownership, once tied to high costs and exclusivity, is giving way to fractional models. “Many people can now own one horse,” says Menaka Gupta. For Smita Bajoria, this is both practical and cultural, making ownership more accessible to youngsters.

Reimagining the club as a social experience
Faced with racing’s limitations as a singular draw, the club has recalibrated into a more inclusive social space—a strategic, not just aesthetic, shift. As steward Enrico Piperno explains, “We realised racing alone was not enough, so we reimagined the club with new lounges, restaurants, and spaces for younger members.” Dedicated under-35 areas and updated experiences reflect this push. Sumant Dalmiya notes the recent focus on younger audiences, while Piperno adds horse numbers have rebounded from 154 post-Covid to 375, signalling renewed participation.

Spectacle to slow shift
The memory of the club’s heyday defines its emotional core. Race days were once theatrical affairs with parades and packed stands. As member Enu Bala recalls, “My fondest memories are from two decades ago—when stalwarts like Vijay Mallya and Deepak Khaitan were regulars.” Yet, as Menaka Gupta notes, interest has declined due to heavy taxation and rising ownership costs.

Racing has been a way of life for many generations. As it becomes more accessible, the club’s strength remains its traditions – races, rituals, and identity must endure – Enu Bala

The future of racing lies in inclusivity. Fractional ownership builds community, while preserving the club’s legacy & heritage
– Smita Bajoria

We reimagined the club as a social space. Balancing new and old member expectations isn’t easy, but we have evolved– Enrico Piperno

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