Budapest hosts horse race in Heroes' Square

Imagine a horse race that takes place in a historic square in the centre of a city? Well that’s just what visitors to Budapest over the weekend of 31 May and 1 June will be treated to as the city hosts its first ever horse race in Heroes’ Square.

Up to 100 horses and riders, representing village, towns and local businesses throughout Hungary, are to take part in the ‘National Gallop’ (vagta.hu) – a horse race that is set to become an annual event around Budapest’s main historic square, to celebrate Hungary’s great horse riding tradition.

The race will be approximately six furlongs in length and up to six horses will race at any one time, around a specially designed track of sand filled with special granules that will be laid around the square. Prize money of up to Euros 200,000 is up for grabs for the various race categories.

The event is free for spectators who can watch the race from grandstands erected around the ‘Gallop Arena’ and the event is expected to attract up to 300,000 visitors over the weekend. As well as the race there will be a plenty of other festivities such as horse riding processions, war games and parades, plus exhibitions and a fair.

On Andrássy Street, between Bajza Street and Heroes’ Square, Hungarian gastronomy and authentic folk culture will also be showcased and visitors walking along the ‘Gallop Promenade’, as it has been nicknamed, will be able to learn about culture and traditions in the towns and villages represented in the race.

Other attractions just behind Heroes’ Square include Városliget (City Park) with its fairy-tale Vajdahunyad Castle, the zoo and the beautifully designed baroque building that is home to one of Europe’s largest spa complexes – the Széchenyi baths.

Hungary’s love of horses stems right back to the seven Magyar tribes that settled in the Carpathian basin and quickly established themselves as able horsemen. This tradition lives on, particularly in the Hortobàgy National Park in the Puszta or ‘Great Plains’ where bareback horse shows are regular events. Hungary’s relatively flat countryside and network of wetlands and rivers is ideal for riding tours and the country is full of riding schools.

Getting there

A weekend break to Budapest, departing on 30 May and returning on 2 June, costs from £125 per person for flights with Wizzair from Luton (wizzair.com) and from Euro 224 per room at the four star Mercure Budapest (mercure.com) for three nights including bed and breakfast, based on two people sharing.

Flights are also available with Malev from Gatwick, Easyjet from Luton and Gatwick, British Airways from Heathrow, Ryanair from Bristol, Liverpool, East Midlands and Glasgow, Jet2 from Manchester and Aer Lingus from Belfast.

To find out more about the National Gallop visit vagta.hu.

To find out more about Hungary visit gotohungary.co.uk.