As far as organized racing in India is concerned, the Royal Calcutta Turf Club is the pioneer. RCTC was born in the year 1847 and in a short span of 40 years, RCTC was bestowed with exclusive rights to administer horse racing throughout the subcontinent. At one time, the RCTC exercised full control over as many as 73 racing centers ranging from Peshawar to Mandalay.

As a matter of fact, RCTC was the first center in the entire subcontinent to stage the Derby race in the year 1842. However, in the year 1856, the Derby stakes made way for the Viceroy's Cup and again after a long 105 years came to be known as Queen Elizabeth II Cup. As the stature of the Club grew bigger and bigger, it was thought appropriate to bestow the Club with the title "Royal" . Thus in the year 1912, the Calcutta Race Course was rechristened as the Royal Calcutta Turf Club.

The club has a checkered history and the British royalty like His Excellency King George V had visited this hallowed club in the year 1905. This club, being a pioneer as far as Derby races in the subcontinent is concerned, was the first to undertake the construction of the existing Monsoon tracks. The track was unique and in those days perhaps a-one-of-its-kind track in the world in that it was one of the quickest draining track one could imagine. The Club also introduced the state-of-the-art "Randwick Rails" which is now universally used by race courses all over the world. But, in those days, the Randwick Rails were a novelty.

The huge stands of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club amidst the lush greenery and the architectural grandeur of Victoria Memorial on the distant horizon standing like a beacon of hope makes for a truly kaleidoscopic vignette.

An In-house Club, a well stocked library, Billiards/Snooker Room, Bars which includes the exclusive Ladies Bar, all pamper the discerning guests. Like any European club, the RCTC too has a strict dress code and guests are expected to be dressed elegantly.

The day to day activities of the Club is managed by a core group of 5 Club Members who have been designated as - "Stewards". The Stewards are elected in the Annual General Meeting and they hold office from 1st April to 31st March of the following year. The stewards in turn elect from among them a person capability and administrative acumen to the position of a Chairman who is designated as a Senior Steward of the Club.

In the days of yore, jockeys and trainers had to make their own arrangements as far as stabling was concerned. But, ever since 1934, RCTC has built its own stables, 361 in all at Hastings and each stable is equipped with rolling rings, fodder and tack rooms. Apart from safe keeping of horses, there is adequate provision for accommodation of jockeys and trainers at the Griffin Block. A state-of-the-art Veterinary clinic is also there which is looked after by a knowledgeable Veterinary Officer. And to the utter delight of the horse owners, an exclusive race horse owner's lounge has been built where in a laidback ambience, the owners can come with their family and spend quality time with the horses they own.

Membership of the Club is a virtual Who's Who of the society. There are two types of membership available. One is Club Member and the other is Stand Member. Needless to say, the membership of this exclusive club don't come cheap. While a Club Member has to dish out Rs.1 Lakh, the Stand Member has to part away with Rs.50,000.

To boost membership, a thorough renovation of the Corporate office located at 11 Russell Street whose majestic Palladian edifice has been crumbling due to lack of maintenance , is now being rebuilt on a grandiose scale and once complete it will have three specialty restaurants, swimming pool, squash cout, health club, beauty salon, a well stocked library and a state-of-the-art museum which will showcase the evolution of horse racing in India. The RCTC stewards are of the opinion that with a swanky all-under-one-roof Club and the exclusivity that comes by virtue of being Asia's first racecourse will go a long way in reviving the glory days of the past.

The icing on the cake though is, come 2006 and RCTC will be among the first race courses in India where night racing will be reality.

	Sporting Venues

Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium

Netaji Indoor Stadium

Rabindra Sarovar Stadium

Royal Calcutta Turf Club

Salt Lake Stadium

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