3 minute read

Takes place for the most part in Lima at the beautiful Monterrico track, and in Arequipo at a smaller venue.

Racing takes place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the year with the biggest day of the year being Derby Day.

The flying horsebox made it into Lima on Friday evening and it was Sunday when we visited Monterrico, courtesy of our colleague José R. Dammert, a racing journalist in both print media and television.

Sunday's card was all on the dirt which is the outer track American-style and the turf the inner track. Ther were several races for 2yo debutantes over the 1000m and other races for the more experienced runners over 1200 and 1300m. Most races had fields of 10 or more runners.

There are three women jockeys who are doing very well in Peru and today we were fortunate to see one of them, Laura Salcedo, ride a filly called Lady Zoe to victory in the fourth race.

The Peruvians have 3 runners entered for the GP LatinoAmericano in 2 weeks time, but which three horses is the question! Two of the original selections, Dixie Wave and Juliana were rules out by the vets although it appeared that Juliana's owner wasn't very happy with the vet's decision. Milos and Sensacionale are the substitutes and we shall wait to see what is going to happen.

There was not a huge crowd at Monterrico but then there were no special races on but those that were present were very enthusiastic. There are 2000 horses in Peru and there are excellent facilities at the back of the track to accommodate them.

It was a very pleasant day both in terms of the weather - around 26 - and the racing experience.