People’s Turf PLC Withdraws from Champ-de-Mars for 2025 Season

People’s Turf PLC (PTP) has decided not to hold races at the Champ-de-Mars during the upcoming 2025 season. l’Express’ sources close to the company confirmed that Jean-Michel Lee Shim, the managing director of PTP, has formally communicated this decision to Côte-d’Or International Racecourse and Entertainment Complex Ltd (COIREC).

In May, Lee Shim publicly announced across various media outlets that PTP would withdraw entirely from organizing races in 2025.

However, recent developments suggested a different direction. Significant progress is being made at the Petit-Gamin racetrack, prompting speculation that PTP may be considering hosting races at this venue, which is owned by the company, as a way to cut costs while potentially benefiting from favorable election results.

The speculation surrounding Petit-Gamin has led to discussions within the Mauritius Turf Club (MTC).

While many believed that PTP will indeed shift its focus to Petit-Gamin, some members of the MTC remained skeptical about the sincerity of PTP’s decision.

One member remarked, “Today, PTP may claim it does not want to organize races at Champ-de-Mars, but tomorrow it could easily reverse that decision.

We must not forget that PTP’s organization of races has brought considerable challenges to the government. The letter to COIREC might very well be a political bluff.”

Concerns also arised regarding the structures and irrigation systems that PTP has invested Rs 6.5 million in at Champ-de-Mars.

Lee Shim previously hinted at the possibility of dismantling these structures, while he aimed to negotiate terms regarding the irrigation system with COIREC.

PTP’s exit from Champ-de-Mars opened the door for the MTC to request permission to resume using the racetrack, a practice they maintained for over two centuries.

However, MTC President Gavin Glover has emphasized that certain conditions must be met before the organization can take back the reins of race management.

Source: l’Express