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Marsa Horse Racing Track


Marsa Race Track, Malta

Who was it that came up with the idea of ‘putting your shirt on a horse’? Have they not seen the size of those things? You’d have to be enormous if your shirt was to fit on one of them! And why would you want to? They’re covered in fur, they’d never get their hoofs down the sleeves and even if they did, they'd look ridiculous!

 

Joking aside, Malta does has a fine horse tradition. And there is somewhere on Malta that you can head for if you like a day at the races, playing the odds or giving your shirt away to a large mammal – Marsa Horse Racing Track.

 

There’s actually a healthy racing culture on the island and every Sunday, equine enthusiasts gather at Marsa to cheer on their favourite horse, or place the occasional wager.

 

Marsa’s racecourse was founded in the 19th century and is one of many remnants left behind by the British military. It was British Royal Navy officers in this case, who joined together with the local gentry to introduce the racecourse to the island.

 

By 1929, Marsa Racing Club was hosting regular races thanks to the importation of expertly trained racehorses from North Africa. However this hit a snag when most of these fine horses had to be slaughtered during the Second World War.

 

Race meetings started again in December 1945, although when the British and their Armed Forces left the island, there was a sudden shortage of both horses and jockeys.

 

Rather than put a halt to their newfound hobby, which the locals had come to love, the Marsa Racing Club substituted the traditional horseback races for the new sulky races. These involve drivers racing ponies while sitting on a lightweight two-wheeled cart - reminiscent of the Roman chariot races seen in films like Ben Hur.

 

The racetrack was reconstructed in 1981 and a grandstand for 2,000 spectators was included, as well as bars and shops to service them. Apart from the local races, Marsa is also occasionally called upon to host international events such as the European Championship for Professional Drivers.

When visiting the Marsa Horse Racing Tracks, you’re sure to succumb to the sheer enthusiasm that permeates the air. There’s a great atmosphere so as you loudly cheer on your favourite horse amidst a crowd of screaming onlookers, you’ll be sampling a pure taste of raw Mediterranean passion.



Web: www.maltaracingclub.com/index.php
Email: infomrc@maltaracingclub.com
Address: Racecourse St, Marsa, Malta
Phone: +356 2122 4800
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