Since the Singapore government set up a Totalisator Board in the republic and took over the running of horse racing through the Singapore Turf Club, racing in Singapore has grown by leaps and bounds.

Beginning 1999, the Singapore Turf Club opened up several major races to overseas horses. Two horses from Perth contested the Singapore Derby that year. A French entry, bought by local interests before the race, won the Singapore Gold Cup. 

March 2000 saw the staging of the S$3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup and the official opening of the new state-of-the-art Kranji racecourse which has enhanced Singapore's image. 

Singapore has now eight races which are open to foreign entries. These races are expected to generate more overseas interests in subsequent years.

The Singapore Airlines International International Cup has been contested by horses from Hong Kong, Britain, the United Arab Emirates, France, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

The International Catalogue Committee has granted a Group 1 status for the Singapore Airlines International Cup in 2002. In addition the, the Singapore Airlines International Cup is now a part of the World Series Racing Championship.

In 2001, the Singapore Turf Club introduced the S$1 million Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Sprint to supplement the International Cup day programme.