Champ de Mars Racecourse, Horse racing venue in Port Louis, Mauritius
Champ de Mars Racecourse is a horse racing venue in the heart of Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. The track is shaped like an ellipse, roughly 0.8 miles (1.3 km) long, and is flanked by a main grandstand, a parade ring, and a series of low buildings with a colonial look.
The grounds were first used by French soldiers as a military training field in the early 1800s, before the British took control of the island and turned the site into a racing venue. The first official season was held in 1812, making it one of the oldest tracks in the Southern Hemisphere.
On race days, the stands fill with people dressed in their best, eating local snacks and cheering loudly for their favorite horses. The event feels more like a community fair than a sports competition.
Races run from April through November, mostly on weekends, so checking the schedule before visiting is a good idea. On non-race days, the grounds are open for a walk, and mornings are a good time to watch horses training on the track.
On March 12, 1968, the day Mauritius gained independence, the new national flag was raised for the first time right here on the racecourse grounds. The oldest active stable at the track, Gujadhur Stable, has been operating for over 100 years.
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