The Hipódromo de la Zarzuela is one of the most fascinating spaces to spend a fun day out in Madrid. As you would expect, horse racing is one of its great attractions. But that’s not all. It also offers an endless range of activities that you can try, whilst at the same time enjoying a privileged setting that is attached to the Patrimonio Nacional [National Heritage of Spain]. The facility occupies 110 hectares of ecologically rich land, and is therefore one of the green lungs of Madrid.
It is worth visiting the Madrid Hippodrome, even if it’s only to see a horse race. Passion and adrenaline are aroused by a remarkable spectacle in which you can see the best English thoroughbreds and the top international jockeys compete for first place. You will enjoy the order that prevails on the course, the bright colours sported by the jockeys, the hope that the horse you have bet on will win, etc. All this adds to the excitement of an extraordinary experience that will definitely get the adrenaline flowing.
Bets from €1 at the Hippodrome
It should be pointed out it is not expensive to place a bet. It’s cheap and it’s fun, as you can place a bet from just €1. To do so, you need to choose your favourite horses and your betting option, place your bet at any of the booths, cheer on your horses from the grandstand—and if you win, return to the booth to collect your winnings.
But the Hippodrome offers much more than horse racing. We’re going to reveal its secrets, but first a few points of interest about its construction. The complex was designed by the engineer Eduardo Torroja and the architects Carlos Arniches and Martín Domínguez. It is considered to be one of Madrid’s great architectural works of the twentieth century, as its construction was far ahead of its time, using highly innovative structures and materials.
Among its most remarkable features are the grandstands, with their broad, projecting roofs. These were so advanced for their time that in 2009 they were awarded the status of Asset of Cultural Interest in the Monument category. Although construction of the stands began in 1935, they did not in fact open until 1941 because of the Civil War. The Eduardo Torroja Foundation has brought together a great proportion of the visionary architect’s work, to be displayed here under one of his renowned grandstands. Entry to the Eduardo Torroja Museum is free of charge and you can, if you wish, contact the Museum by email to request a guided tour costing just €3: contacto@fundacioneduardotorroja.org.
Guided tours of the Madrid Hippodrome
The Hipódromo de la Zarzuela is remarkably beautiful. To encourage visitors to explore its facilities, guided tours are available every Sunday morning, when racing events take place. The tour commences at 10:30 AM, and lasts for one hour, sufficient time to acquire a good insight into what this space means for the city of Madrid. You will learn how the racing programme is developed, who are the top jockeys, which horses have the best chance of winning, and how many types of bets you can make.
On these visits, you will have the opportunity to see the paddock, admire the extraordinary beauty of the horses—and even have your photo taken with one of them. You will also be taken along to the betting booths, in case you want to wager a euro or two. You never know. The tour ends at the grandstand with the first race of the day, but that does not prevent you from staying to enjoy the rest of the racing at your leisure.
In any case, the Hipódromo de la Zarzuela offers a plethora of leisure activities to be enjoyed with family or friends every Sunday. On every race day, 7 or 8 races are scheduled (with 35-minute breaks in between), but there is of course lots more to do at the Hippodrome. At the Ponyturf Club for example, the youngest children can take part in free programmed activities, such as the giant trampoline or the inflatable horses, or go for a pony ride so that they become familiar with the world of horses. During the spring, Ponyturf Championships are held, to give the young riders an opportunity to show off their skills riding Calambritos, Rocky, Peluchín, Peluchón, Woody or Minnie.
Music, magic and other attractions
Each season, the Hippodrome organises Family Days to coincide with Mother’s Day and Christmas. Other special events include Picnic Day, a special day in the country, featuring music, children’s entertainment and a festival of magic… and if you don’t want to bring a picnic and checked tablecloth with you, you can buy a ‘picnic pack’ for only €10.
For the 2019 season, a new family facility has opened in the north garden, next to the Ponyturf Club, so that the whole family can enjoy gourmet food. Yet another addition to the already wide array of food on offer, which includes pizzas, burgers, hot dogs, Iberian ham rolls, etc.
Over 200 races are held throughout the season (with the highlight being the Grands Prix), races that bring together on the course the finest thoroughbreds, the greatest jockeys and the strongest stables. Seventeen Grands Prix normally take place every year, although the biggest events of the calendar are the Madrid Grand Prix and the Champions’ Day.
The Champions’ Day: the calendar highlight
The Madrid Grand Prix is the flagship event of the Hipódromo de la Zarzuela, and is the grand finale of the spring season. On that day, the course puts on its Sunday best to honour one of the biggest sporting events of the year, although the top competition in the country is the Champions’ Day, when the history of Spanish horse racing is written in gold letters. This is a legendary competition that has been held since 1919, and which, with a hundred years of history behind it, awards the biggest turf-racing prize: €102,000, of which €60,000 goes to the winner.
One of the best times to visit the Hipódromo de la Zarzuela is in the summer, because that is when what are known as the Hippodrome Evenings are held; these always take place on Thursdays. For these events, the complex’s gardens and terraces are specially illuminated to offer an exclusive evening’s entertainment: horse racing by moonlight—as well as a vast array of gourmet cuisine.
General admission to the Hipódromo de la Zarzuela costs €7 during spring and autumn. In summer, the admission charge is €12. Admission is free for youngsters under the age of 14, accompanied by an adult. On days of big events, such as the Champions’ Day and the Madrid Grand Prix, charges are subject to change.
