du Roy de Blicquylaan 43 - Hippodrome

It can be assumed that the origins of equestrian sports can be traced back to the period after the Crusades, when the Crusaders brought Arabian horses to England. Today's thoroughbred horses originated in the 18th century in England through the selection of keur stallions.
It is believed that the first horse race in Belgium took place at Spa on 27 August 1773 (under the reign of Maria Theresa) after a bet between the Duke of Lauzun and Count Branicki. Two English horses were ridden, each by a jockey, and Lauzun's horse won the competition. This race was the starting signal for many others.
The creation of the racecourse in Sterrebeek in the years 1938-1939 was made possible thanks to the lords du Roy de Blicquy as a replacement for the racecourse of Stockel. On October 9, 1939, the opening meeting was held. Only one race (canter and trot) was organized in 1939. During World War II, the racecourse was used by the German army as a residence for sick horses, then by the American army as a prisoner of war camp and later as a storage place for army equipment. The big breakthrough came in 1952 with the establishment of the Grand Winter Prize by the "Société Sportive du Demi-Sang".
With its 41.69 hectares, this hippodrome is not only the largest in the country, it is also the only one where both trotting and racing competitions can take place.
The complex has five racecourses, extensive facilities for visitors and parking facilities. The visitors' area is built in rational brick architecture, typical of the late interwar period, which contrasts with the bare concrete construction of the covered stands.
Characteristic are the use of yellow brick in combination with dark-coloured tiles, the rounded pavilions with band windows, the portholes, the wide canopies and terraces.
The stables, on the other hand, with space for 320 horses, are reminiscent of the traditional farm style with their rural idiom.
Since April 2004, the racecourse in Sterrebeek has belonged to Tensor Capital Management and is managed by NV Probel from Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. Since the spring of 2005 you can come here to play golf in the green.

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