Horse racing is one of the oldest organised, professional sports in human history, dating back thousands of years.
From the ancient chariot races in Rome to today's multimillion-pound events like the Grand National, horse racing has long captured the imagination of people from countless different backgrounds, cultures and time periods. But among all the prestigious horse races in the modern era, one holds the title of being the oldest continually run horse race still in existence:
The Palio di Siena
Taking place in the Tuscan city of Siena, the Palio di Siena is widely regarded as the oldest horse race in the world. Its origins can be traced all the way back to at least the 13th century, with formal regulations for the event established for the first time in 1656.
Unlike modern flat races held on turf tracks, the Palio di Siena is a bareback horse race run around the Piazza del Campo, Siena's historic central square. And when we say bareback, we literally mean bareback, with horses often racing without saddles or reins.
The race is deeply ingrained in Sienese culture, with aspects of medieval pageantry having been retained at an event which has been held in pretty much the exact same format for hundreds of years.
The Race Format
Although the Palio di Siena has been paused during moments of extreme hardship, including during the World Wars and during the Covid-19 pandemic, its structure, spirit and format remains largely unchanged, preserving its title as the oldest horse race in the world.
The Palio di Siena isn't just the oldest horse race in the world, it's a fierce competition between Siena's 17 city districts known as contrada's. Ten contradas are selected to compete in each edition of the race, with horses assigned based on a lottery system so as to ensure a level playing field.
For the locals, winning the Palio di Siena horse race is a source of immense pride, with intense rivalries stretching back through countless generations. Each contrada has its own recognised flag, colours, museum and traditions.
There are actually two Palio di Siena horse races held every year, one on 2nd July and another on 16th August. Each of these races covers a distance of roughly 1,000 metres and one area where the event regulations diverge wildly from modern races, is that horses crossing the finish line without riders are still eligible to win the race!
The horse race itself is just one part of an overall package of family entertainment which also includes parades, medieval costumes, traditional songs and even blessings of the horses in local churches. The Palio di Siena truly is a full-blown historical and cultural celebration.
What is the Oldest Horse Race in the UK?
The oldest horse race in the UK which is still run in largely the same format as when it was first established is the Kiplingcotes Derby. This event was first held in 1519 and has taken place in its original East Yorkshire home on the 3rd Thursday of March every year since.
The oldest horse race in the UK, the Kiplingcotes Derby, was first run in 1519 and is still held at its East Yorkshire home every March. One major development in the history of horse racing was the importing to England of three sires from which all thoroughbred horses are descended.
One area where the Kiplingcotes Derby deviates from modern day horse races is that it is not held on a traditional circuit. Instead it covers a 4.5 mile distance from Kiplingcotes railway station through to Londesborough Wold Farm, traversing a range of different types of terrain which has changed somewhat over the intervening centuries.
While the majority of the event's traditions have remained in place, including the fact that the 2nd place finisher often earns more than the winner, there have been some attempts to modernise the event. For instance, female jockeys were permitted to take part in the race for the first time in 1933.
What is the Oldest Racecourse in the UK?
We've already identified the oldest horse race in the UK, but what is actually the oldest racecourse in the UK? Well, that particular honour goes to Chester racecourse which was established way back in 1539. This is an accolade which was recognised by the Guinness World Records in 2019.
Prior to becoming a horse racing circuit, the site played host to the bloody Goteddsday (Shrove Tuesday) football match which was banned by the city in 1533 on account of the notorious violence it was associated with. The change of purpose for the site required prior approval from the Major of Chester, Henry Gee, whose name led to the slang term for horses "Gee-Gee" which is still used to this day.
Chester Racecourse has steadily been upgraded over the years, keeping pace with the rate of development of other UK venues. A prime example of this is the state of the art digital betting platform which was introduced in 2023. Chester Racecourse has also started to become synonymous with music concerts, hosting performances from world-renowned artists with a view to ensuring that the venue remains profitable outside of the horse racing season.