Ipoh Ladies Take the Reins at Perak Turf Club

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By Anne Das

Twelve women sponsored the feature race at Perak Turf Club (PTC) on Sunday, August 23, marking the first time the club’s Gold Vase had been backed by a collective of female sponsors.

The race was renamed the Ipoh Ladies Gold Vase 2026 in their honour.

The winning run in the Ipoh Ladies Gold Vase, carrying RM150,000 in stakes.

The Gold Vase is one of three Group 1 races on PTC’s annual calendar and has over seven decades of history behind it.

Inaugurated in 1950, the race was traditionally run as a 1,100-metre sprint along PTC’s straight course from 1952. The club’s long straight track helped distinguish the Gold Vase within the Malayan Racing Association circuit.

Hats, suits and polished race-day style.

Guests gathered at the DJ Lounge for lunch overlooking the track as the afternoon’s racing programme began. The race card included the Magic Millions Trophy and the Japan Racing Trophy before the main event.

The RM150,000 Ipoh Ladies Gold Vase was contested over 1,400 metres for the first time this year.

A trackside celebration after the finish.

Lucky Magic, ridden by Brazilian jockey Bernardo Pinheiro, overtook Eruption in the closing stretch to claim the Gold Vase.

Owned by Happy Baby Stable and trained by HY Cheng, the six-year-old gelding has now won 11 of his 16 career starts.

A colourful welcome to Gold Vase Day at PTC.

During the post-race ceremony, the women behind the Ipoh Ladies Gold Vase stepped forward to present the trophies to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.

The group comprised Datin Caroline Chan, Datin Celia Yip, Datin Grace Tong, Datin Lilian Gan, Datin Tham Wai Sweet, Mdm Angie Neoh, Mdm Anita Pang, Mdm Sylvie Yap, Mdm Ginla Chew, Mdm Tan Kim Hong, Mdm Lee Lai Ping and Mdm May Goh.

Pic 5
Datin Caroline Chan with PTC Chairman Dato John Lim.

PTC Ambassador Datin Caroline hopes the Ipoh Ladies Gold Vase will become an annual event, with a larger group of women taking part as sponsors next year.

Guests then returned to the DJ Lounge for high tea and continued watching the remaining races, including the Jockey Club of Turkiye Goodwill Trophy.

New connections, good company and the best seats in the house.

PTC Chairman Dato John Lim said the Ipoh Ladies Gold Vase was part of the club’s wider direction for race days to bring together sport, hospitality and community. He hopes events like this will introduce PTC to new audiences and encourage more people to experience racing in Ipoh.

The Ipoh Ladies Gold Vase brought a fresh character to a familiar PTC race day, combining the excitement on the track with the camaraderie around it. It was an afternoon that gave guests plenty to enjoy and another reason to return for future race meetings.