Horse racing on Sanlúcar de Barrameda beach… for turf read surf!

You wouldn’t normally think that the state of the tide had anything at all to do with horse racing. Unless, that is, you were in charge of organising Andalucía’s annual ‘Carreras de Caballos’, renowned as being of ‘International Touristic Interest’ and attracting thousands of visitors every year!

Because in Sanlúcar de Barrameda – in the neighbouring province of Cádiz – the very first thing on the committee’s agenda is to consult their tide tables. Which isn’t really surprising since this is where the 6 exciting and unforgettable days of flat-racing take place right on the beach, with thoroughbred hooves kicking up the surf instead of pounding the turf…

Dating all the way back to 1845, Sanlúcar’s ‘Carreras de Caballos’ are the oldest in Spain, annually attracting horses and jockeys from around the globe.

Divided into two 3-day cycles a fortnight apart, the first 2012 session was held from 12 to 14 August, while the second round of events take place from 27 to 29 August.

So if you’re thinking of going along, what can you expect? Well, since it’s on the beach, and an Andalusian one at that, it’s a totally laid-back, family-friendly occasion far removed from Ascot even though the prize pot certainly isn’t to be sniffed at. As for the location – between the estuary of the River Guadalquivir and the dunes and marshlands of the world-famous Doñana National Park on the Atlantic coast – it’s hard to imagine a more spectacular setting. The races begin around 6pm and finish around 3 hours later… just as the sun sinks slowly into the sea.

How to get there: Just a 2-hour drive from Marbella, head west into the province of Cádiz, passing San Roque, Medina Sidonia and El Puerto de Santa María before arriving at Sanlúcar.