From the thunder of the first race to the final result of the day, at Racebuzz, we cover every moment of the horse race in Kolkata. The ground of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club hosts 30 race days and 64 prestigious cup races across the cold weather season alone, with our team covering every last minute of it. Even before the gates are lifted, you can expect us to have your race cards, handicaps, acceptances, jockey ratings, trainer information, and tips all waiting for you. And when the dust settles at the Calcutta Race Course, we’ll be right back with results and every story the track has to tell.
The Kolkata Race Course goes back to 1820, built for the city’s elite before opening its gates to the public in 1880. The Royal Calcutta Turf Club was formally founded in 1847, eventually becoming the governing body for nearly all racecourses across the Indian subcontinent: 73 in total at its peak.
Even before World War II, the club was importing Australian jockeys, trainers, and horses. King George V attended the races, prompting the club to add “Royal” to its name in 1912. This rich legacy continues to shape the identity of Calcutta’s horse race scene even today.
The Calcutta Derby Sweepstake by the 1930s was regarded as the biggest of all sweepstakes pools with close to £1 million in the pot. Queen Elizabeth II herself came here in 1961 to hand over the trophy, which summed up what Kolkata meant in the racing world. Throughout all of these events, the club, with its majestic Palladian architecture and floors of marble and teak doors, has been witness to it all!
Nothing comes close. The season begins on New Year’s Day, and each race day thereafter will have its own excitement. Arrive early, find your place, and watch races like the Calcutta Oaks, the Stewards Cup, and the Calcutta Triple Crown races unfold right before your eyes!
For more formal participation, you can apply for membership. There are different categories:
During the off-season, horse riding classes are available to horse enthusiasts aged 6 and above at the RCTC Riding School. Hop on and turn into an advanced rider in no time while gaining a deeper appreciation for the horse race in Calcutta culture.
Before you head to the ground, here’s everything you need to know:
The races conducted at the RCTC are done during two seasons, which are: monsoon season (between July and September) and winter season (from November to March).
During the winter season, most of the major races are held every Saturday and on any other public holidays. New Year’s Day is special and stands out from the rest as both a racing day and a celebration, drawing crowds eager to follow the latest Kolkata horse race result updates throughout the day.
The Kolkata Race Club is situated in the very centre of Kolkata in Hastings, right opposite the Khidderpore Bridge, under the constant gaze of the spectacular Victoria Memorial. It is surrounded by many landmarks of the city, from the wide green maidan to the historical Fort William and St. Paul’s Cathedral, to the picturesque riverside of Prinsep Ghat on the Hooghly. The name of this fantastic place is Calcutta Race Course, Hastings, Kolkata 700022.
Got a question about the races? We’d love to hear from you at Racebuzz!
It depends on what type of enclosure you are going to visit. Smart casual clothes are preferable, particularly for visiting member’s enclosure.
Six to eight races, a pre-race horse parade, and other facilities that remain available till the last horse completes the race course.
Jockeys conserve energy through the bends before the final straight becomes a full stamina test. Trainers prep horses through shorter races across the season before targeting the classics.
Full membership requires a proposal from an existing member and committee approval, which takes several months. Associate Membership is simpler and applied for directly via the RCTC website.
