page_title: Royal Calcutta Turf Club
hierarchical_section_title: Royal Calcutta Turf Club
caption_attribution_description: English: Old Calcutta Turf Club race stands, before 1905.
context_page_description: The Royal Calcutta Turf Club is a horse racing organisation, founded in 1847 in Calcutta, British India. Initially, horse races were organised for the British cavalry at Akra. Later, it shifted to the Kolkata Maidan. RCTC became the premier horse racing organization in India during the British Raj. At one time it was the governing body for almost all courses in the sub-continent, defining and applying the rules that governed the sport. During its heyday, the races RCTC organised were among the most important social events of the calendar, opened by the Viceroy of India. During It is still an exclusive private club and operates the Kolkata Race Course.
  The club also held polo matches in the late 19th century. It drew English gambling practices. In the 1930s the Calcutta Derby Sweeps, organised by the club, were the largest sweepstake in the world. After the closure of Tollygunge racecourse, a new racecourse was set up by the club at Barrackpore, as an alternative of Maidan, in the 1920s. Although it was closed afterwards due to poor patronage. Later stands and pavilions were built at the Maidan racecourse.
context_section_description: The Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC) is a horse racing organisation, founded in 1847 in Calcutta, British India (now Kolkata, India). Initially, horse races were organised for the British cavalry at Akra. Later, it shifted to the Kolkata Maidan. RCTC became the premier horse racing organization in India during the British Raj. At one time it was the governing body for almost all courses in the sub-continent, defining and applying the rules that governed the sport. During its heyday, the races RCTC organised were among the most important social events of the calendar, opened by the Viceroy of India. During  It is still an exclusive private club and operates the Kolkata Race Course.
  The club also held polo matches in the late 19th century. It drew English gambling practices. In the 1930s the Calcutta Derby Sweeps, organised by the club, were the largest sweepstake in the world. After the closure of Tollygunge racecourse, a new racecourse was set up by the club at Barrackpore, as an alternative of Maidan, in the 1920s. Although it was closed afterwards due to poor patronage. Later stands and pavilions were built at the Maidan racecourse. As of 2020, there are three viewing pavilions and the main pavilion has three tiers.
caption: Calcutta Turf Club race course stands before 1905
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