Horse racing in style at Sta. Lucia Realty’s Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park

Sta. Lucia Realty & Development Inc. has something to offer for horse fanatics, and even those who were born on the year of the horse. The developer is set to make a full blast development of 576-hectare Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park, a residential estates complemented with opulent leisure facilities. The project has two 18-hole championship courses designed by Arnold Palmer and Ronald Fream of GolfPlan, Inc.; a commercial complex on the other side of that bunker; past the neighborhood, and right before oval-shaped sand tracks of the horse racetrack. Racetrack? If the resident prefers a royal connection, the racetrack is his best bet.

It’s not too much of a stretch of the imagination to make that connection work – horse racing isn’t called the "Sport of Kings" for nothing. History tells us the Egyptians, Ancient Greeks and Romans all raced, usually in chariots, and it’s the Romans who became so enamored that racing spread throughout their empire. Racing naturally evolved, becoming both sport and testing medium for the offspring‘s speed and endurance. In the following centuries, racing became popular beyond the Royal tracks and is associated with city corporations and the great families. "It’s a different thrill, outside of the more popularly known and practiced aspect of betting on the horses. We want to provide the few who do delve into equine sports as well as those who want to develop their interest whether as a breeder or equestrian, the best facilities and the ultimate setting worthy of the sport’s rich history" said Exequiel Robles, president & CEO of Sta. Lucia Realty.

Robles also pointed out that the move to relocate the new Sta. Ana Park from Manila to Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park spanning the tri-boundary area of Naic, Tanza and Trece Martirez in Cavite allows for a more comfortable environment. Sta. Ana Park has its place in local history but it stands out better in an open country setting, as it did when it was first built, before urban progress, noise, pollution and decongestion encroached the surrounding areas – not a good thing when training both horse and rider on temperament is essential. The 70-hectare racetrack at Saddle & Clubs has support facility holds a grandstand designed to accommodate large number of patrons. The 1,600 meter sand track, 800-meter training track rounds up the main appointments. As complement, barns, dormitory, jockey quarters, tunnels to the infield and stables for more than 1,000 horses were put up. For night racing, track lighting has also been set up. The racetrack is currently 98 percent complete.

As for guests and racing enthusiasts, creature comforts are provided for at the bars, lounges, concession stands and a clubhouse, pressroom, luxury suites and fine dining facilities. "The horseracing as a sport may have been one of the gentry in early times but these days it’s for everyone. Today, the trend for racetrack marketing is to revive that view of the sport and promote racetracks as the respectable venue for family entertainment that it once was," Robles pointed out.

Sta. Lucia being a master at mixed-use estate planning, the other attraction of Saddle & Clubs extend the whole "royal" lifestyle beyond the tracks. The golf course has its full complement of golf and country club facilities: porte cochere, fine dining, bar and lounges, game room, golf pro shops, men and women’s locker rooms with whirlpool and sauna, function rooms, swimming pool, covered basketball court, covered tennis courts, badminton and squash courts and the gym for men and women with shower rooms, whirlpool and sauna.