The Pferderennplatz Meran ( it, Ippodromo di Maia) is an Italian racecourse, located in the town of Meran, South Tyrol, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in Italy, hosting the annual ''

Grosser Preis von Meran The Gran Premio Merano (german: Großer Preis von Meran) is an annual horse racing event which takes place in September in Pferderennplatz Meran, Meran/Merano, Italy. First run in 1935, it quickly became Italy's most prestigious and valuable steep ...

'' (Grand Prix of Meran). As Meran grew in importance as a

spa A spa is a location where mineral-rich spring water (and sometimes seawater) is used to give medicinal baths. Spa towns or spa resorts (including hot springs resorts) typically offer various health treatments, which are also known as balneoth ...

town due to the visits by

Empress Elisabeth of Austria Duchess Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie in Bavaria (24 December 1837 – 10 September 1898) was Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary from her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I on 24 April 1854 until her assassination in 1898. Elisabeth was ...

and the

aristocracy Aristocracy (, ) is a form of government that places strength in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class, the aristocracy (class), aristocrats. The term derives from the el, αριστοκρατία (), meaning 'rule of the best'. At t ...

, the need to have organised horse races grew. In 1896, the first horse race took place and in 1900 a permanent racecourse established, which featured flat,

steeplechase Steeplechase may refer to: * Steeplechase (horse racing), a type of horse race in which participants are required to jump over obstacles * Steeplechase (athletics), an event in athletics that derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing ...

, and trotting races. Following the annexation of the town from Austria-Hungary to Italy after the end of World War I, the new

fascist Fascism is a far-right, Authoritarianism, authoritarian, ultranationalism, ultra-nationalist political Political ideology, ideology and Political movement, movement,: "extreme militaristic nationalism, contempt for electoral democracy and pol ...

government constructed a new site in 1935. The ''Grosser Preis von Meran'' was funded with the lottery and endowed with the highest prize money of the state lotteries. The event is one of the most important horse races is in the country and has produced many memorable wins.

External links

Homepage of the Meran Racecourse
Merano Horse racing venues in Italy {{italy-stub

Further reading

External links