Sports poster - Horse racing

Horse races were a big attraction for Lublin inhabitants. They provided entertainment and excitement, and those who were lucky enough to bet on the races also won money. In Poland, racing became popular much later than in other European countries. It was influenced by the political situation of our country under the partitions. After the January Uprising, the organization of races was stopped for some time.

The tradition of races in Lublin goes back to the mid-19th century. The first one took place in 1860 as an event accompanying the Agricultural Exhibition, which aroused great interest of inhabitants and local landowners, who visited it in crowds. A special committee was appointed to organise the race, headed by Ludwik Grabowski from Łęczna. He was a respected breeder of half-bred and thoroughbred English horses. He had a stud in Łęczna and later in Serniki near Lubartów. His beautiful and fast horses were known in Poland and Europe.

In the following years, races were held in Lublin in different places. In the mid-1990s a track was built in the district of Dziesiąta, at Wyścigowa Street. In 1924, a new track was built at Bychawska Street and in 1927 another one was built on the Bystrzyca River, near Krochmalna and Ciepła Streets, in the area known as Za cukrownia. Races were held there until the outbreak of World War II.