Zagreb Hippodrome

Zagreb Hippodrome (Croatian: Zagrebački hipodrom) is a horse racing venue in Zagreb, Croatia. It was built from 1947 to 1950, with a design based on the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris. It is located in the neighbourhood of Kajzerica, on the southern bank of the Sava river, near the Bundek lake.[1] The venue covers an area of 47 hectares (120 acres).[2] It was originally built with three racetracks, having lengths of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft), 1,600 m (5,200 ft), and 2,400 m (7,900 ft), but the longest track was removed to make space for an indoor riding hall after the 1987 Summer Universiade. A space for steeplechase races is located in the inside area of the smallest track.[1]

Zagreb Hippodrome as seen from the air

Zagreb Hippodrome has been managed by the Zagreb Equestrian Club (Konjički klub Zagreb) since 1952.[1] The most important event at the Hippodrome is the yearly International June Tournament (Lipanjski turnir), which has been held since 1955.[3][4] The venue has been criticised for bad management and track maintenance, and small horse stalls which do not satisfy today's health and safety requirements.[2] The stables hold around 160 horses.[5]

The street where the venue is located was renamed in honour of Radoslav Cimerman, a Croatian horse riding champion who fell from his horse and died in 1974 while training at the Zagreb Hippodrome.[6] In 1994, Pope John Paul II celebrated a mass at the Hippodrome, which was attended by a million people. Pope Benedict XVI also celebrated a mass at the Hippodrome in 2011.[7][8] The Hippodrome also saw use as a concert venue, hosting Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, Red Hot Chili Peppers[9] and Metallica.[10]