The Marsa Racecourse in Malta
The Marsa Horse Racing Track may be one of Malta’s most notable historical places. It is of historical importance because horse racing was reborn on the field of that track after the 2nd World War. After the British colonisation, the horses were taken out of the country, and most of the jockeys left with them.
In that situation, a great track was famous for its Marsa Horse Races but had no jockeys or horses to compete. As a way to salvage the situation and give the track a new life, the standard horse and jockey combo was replaced with people sitting on a lightweight two-wheeled cart that ponies pull. These Roman chariot-like competitions are also called sulky races.
This quirky horse racing style took off and gave new life to the Marsa Race Track. What once was an empty track became a favourite place for many Maltese viewers who thoroughly enjoyed the sulky races. Due to this success, expansion, refurbishment and improvements to the track are carried out regularly to this day.
Additional Details about the Marsa Race Track in Malta
The Marsa Racecourse in Malta is 1000 metres per lap. The most popular racing distances are the 2140m and the 2640m. Any race that is carried out over 1640m or 3140m is also run for trotters. The track can accommodate up to 4500 people and provide parking for nearly 1200 cars at the time of writing this article.
| 🐎 Name | Marsa Race Track |
| 📍 Location | Triq It – Tigrija, Il-Marsa, Malta |
| 🏁 Lap Length | 1000m |
| 🏟️ Capacity | 4500 |
| ⭕ Opened | 1868 |
As you can see, the Malta Race Track is not small at all. It is the only one in the city and can accommodate thousands of spectators and is home to the Marsa Racing Club. A lot of the notoriety of this sport nowadays is due to its popularity among sports bettors. If you feel like placing a wager on your favourite horse, then you can go to one of the top sports betting sites in Malta and do so.
History of Marsa Horse Racing in Malta
In this part of our review of the Marsa Race Track, we would like to delve deeper into its history and, in general, the history of horse racing in the country. The origins of racing horses in Malta go back to the Roman Empire. The Romans brought horses into the land, and racing them was quite popular.
After they left the country, the Marsa Race Club returned to its roots and used traditional bulls and donkeys for various entertainment purposes. This lasted until the 16th century when the Knights of Malta occupied the island. Thanks to them, a form of culture around horses and racing them was again developed, and this time, it stuck with the population.
This was further enhanced when the British colonised Malta in the 1800s. Of course, Great Britain was known for their love of horses. The Marsa Racecourse in Malta began operating in 1868, and along with the standard form of horse racing, horse-drawn carriages were also quite popular.
The Marsa horse races became extremely popular, and even pure-bred and highly trained Arab stallions were imported to the country to compete on the racecourse. Unfortunately, the Second World War events brought dark times for Marsa horse racing in Malta as the animals that competed in the races had to be slaughtered.
There were several years in which no races were held. Fortunately, the Marsa horse races were reborn after the hostilities had ceased. This was followed by a re-opening of the Marsa Race Track in Malta in December 1945, and since then, it has not stopped working and hosting annual events.
Events and Championships at the Marsa Racecourse
When talking about Marsa horse racing in Malta, except for the obvious trotters and pacers divisions, you will come across a wide range of championships and races. If you visit the official Marsa Race Track website, you can check out their calendar and see what monthly events will be available. Here is a short list of some of the most popular ones that will be held in 2023:
- Executive Security Championship
- Southern Region Councils’ Championship
- Bronze Maiden Race
- Silver Maiden Race
- Assikura Championship
- Qatar Sports Day
- Cheval Francais Bronze and Silver Races
- Bronze Championship
- Bavaria Gold Championship
You can find detailed information about when each event will be held on the official calendar of the Marsa Horse Racing Track. What is also quite popular and legal in Malta that is connected to racing horses is placing wagers on the outcome of these events. We will be going over betting on the Marsa Horse Races in the next section.
Sports Betting on Horse Races
People who thoroughly enjoy horse racing and would like to take it to the next level can place bets on their favourite horse or the overall outcome of an event. Sports betting is very popular worldwide, especially when it is carried out at legal online sportsbooks.
For many, joining one of the DFS betting sites in Malta or placing a wager on their favourite horse at online sportsbooks is a great experience. Of course, the opportunities to get some good rewards enhance that experience, especially when the odds are high.
If you want to join an online sportsbook to place some bets, we would like to give you a crucial hint. The most important thing is to be vigilant if the operator of your choice is legal. In order for any online sportsbook to provide betting services in the country, it will have to be fully licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority.
Of course, it is common knowledge that gambling can be very addictive and potentially create a bad habit of compulsory gambling. We have a detailed guide on responsible gambling in Malta, in which we showcase the steps you need to take to ensure your safety. Never wager something you can’t afford to lose.
Marsa Racecourse in Malta – Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed our quick overview of the Marsa Race Track in Malta and its detailed history. This track’s story of popularising a quirky form of the sport to its rebirth in 1945 is unique, to say the least. If someday you decide to go to Malta, we recommend visiting the Marsa Horse Racing Track and experiencing a race.
Placing wagers on the Marsa horse races is also quite popular worldwide. Online gambling in Malta is a favourited activity by many players. If you’re interested in that, then you can check out some of the best online casinos in Malta that can offer a wide range of real money games, and some even have a dedicated sports betting platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this final section of our overview, we would like to share with you some of our most popular queries regarding the Marsa Race Track in Malta. Feel free to check out each question and answer. In any case, don’t hesitate to contact us via email.