The Moscow Hippodrome
Information for visitors
Address: 22 Begovaya street bld. 1
Nearest metro station: Begovaya, Belorusskaya, Dinamo
Telephone: +7 (495) 945-04-37
Website: cmh.ru
Ticket offices are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:45, Sunday from 12:00 noon to 17:45.
The Central Moscow Hippodrome was built in 1834 and became the first hippodrome in Russia. It is still one of the main and largest hippodromes in the country. It is considered the first trotting race track in the world.
In its first years of existence, the competitions were rare and the spectators were not many. But at the end of the 19th century this place’s popularity rapidly increased thanks to the sweepstakes.
For the period of the Russian Civil war, horse races on the hippodrome were suspended as its territory was used for drills. It was also used for rallies, one of them was held by Vladimir Lenin.
Position on the map
In 1921, the hippodrome resumed its activity and started to become more and more popular among the public. To such an extent that by the mid-20th century the number of its seats was doubled. Nevertheless, even that could not cover the demand. The sweepstakes were so profitable that part of its revenues was used to finance reconstruction works of the Bolshoi theater and Moscow’s Botkin Hospital as well as for the construction of several apartment buildings located near the hippodrome.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, horse racing in the hippodrome was again suspended and its activity was only resumed in 2000.
Today, the Moscow Hippodrome is one of the few Russian venues where horse racing is held weekly, on Sundays. The main horse breeds taking part in competitions are trotters (Russian, Oryol, American and French), as well as Thoroughbred and Arab horses. The main prizes awarded at its competitions are Big All-Russian Prize (Derby) and Bars prize. The Moscow Hippodrome hosts international competitions.
Most competitions at the Moscow Hippodrome are about testing horses’ speed and endurance, nevertheless show jumping, dressage and polo competitions are also held here.
Among other activities, the Moscow Hippodrome hosts greyhound dog races, dog sled racing and shows with trained horses. Its visitors can enjoy its museum and – if they get lucky – try a real troika ride.