The racecourse, a Mauritian tradition

As well as being a tropical paradise, Mauritius also excels in horse racing. It's a fine heritage that has not left Mauritians unmoved. This craze was born thanks to Colonel Edward Alured Draper, who imported horse racing in 1812. He founded the Mauritius Turf Club with the help of Governor Robert Farquhar. The Champ de Mars was inaugurated on 25 June 1812. It was also on this date that the first horse race was held. Today, the Champ de Mars racecourse in Port Louis is the oldest in the southern hemisphere and the second oldest in the world after Turkey.

Horse racing is now a national sport in Mauritius and has become as much a part of Mauritius as it is of the country itself. The first races attracted both locals and celebrities such as Princess Anne and Sarah of the United Kingdom, the Duchess of York and former footballer Robert Pires, as well as leaders from all over Africa and the Middle East.

The iconic racecourse was the epicentre of the island's independence celebrations in 1968. It remains an institution in the Mauritian landscape, as well as hosting majestic races.

Whether you're a keen equestrian or not, the racecourse is a must-see and can be visited during the racing seasons from April to December. Four major classic and international cups are held at the racecourse: the Duchess of York Cup, the Maiden Cup, the Duke of York Cup and the Barbé Cup. There are eight races a day, with an average of around 9 horses per race. Other popular events take place throughout the year: on certain weekends, international jockeys close the racing season and attract crowds from all over the world. These sporting events bear witness to the multiculturalism of Mauritius.

Nestling at the foot of a mountain cirque near Port Louis, the racecourse is a favourite spot for Mauritians to meet up with friends and family. On Saturdays and Sundays from midday, the racecourse is fully booked. So be sure to get your ticket early. Tourists will have the opportunity to share this memorable moment with Mauritians and see the love of betting games.

Previously, betting on races was organised exclusively by bookmakers, who calculated the odds. Since 1991, betting has been computerised and launched by an automatic system. In 1994, betting was made possible by telephone, and more recently, horse lovers have been able to place bets directly by text message.

From April to December, the Champ de Mars attracts between 20,000 and 75,000 spectators for each of its races. The atmosphere is warm, lively and authentic. Before each race, it is not uncommon to see Mauritians reading the local newspaper or sports magazines to make predictions for the weekend's bets. During the races, shopkeepers, taxis and restaurants don't hesitate to switch on the radio or television to follow the race live.

The horses run at lightning speed and the spectators hold the betting slip in their hands while keeping an eye on the finish line. The atmosphere is clearly electric and every action is accompanied by shouts of support. The atmosphere is at its height when the race ends. All the punters are screaming and shouting for their favourite to win.

The Mauritius Turf Club is offering race aficionados a day of visits, including meetings with the jockeys and owners and a tour of the boxes. Visitors can watch the race directly in the VIP boxes (street clothes are required) or follow the horses from a vehicle in action during the race. Whether you are a horse-riding fan or not, a visit to the Port Louis Racecourse is a must on any trip to Mauritius.