History of Ippodromo SNAI San Siro: Over a Century of Horse Racing

The Origins: 1920-1940

The Milan Gallop Racecourse was inaugurated on 18 June 1920, designed by architect Paolo Vietti-Violi — the same genius who a few years later would design the Trotting Racecourse (today Ippodromo SNAI La Maura).

The choice of the San Siro area was no coincidence: at the beginning of the twentieth century, the area was still countryside on the outskirts of Milan, with vast spaces and terrain perfect for racing. The project was ambitious: to create a racecourse that could rival those of Paris and London.

The main grandstand, with its elegant Liberty-style details (Italian Art Nouveau), was immediately considered an architectural masterpiece. The covered stands, wrought-iron balustrades, and manicured gardens created an atmosphere worthy of an international grand prix.

The Golden Age: 1950-1980

In the post-war period, the San Siro Racecourse experienced its period of greatest splendour. Gallop racing was the quintessential popular sport in Milan — thousands of Milanese flocked to the stands every weekend.

The key moments of this era:

• Gran Premio di Milano — became one of the most prestigious races in Europe, attracting international horses and jockeys
• Gran Premio del Jockey Club — the most important race on the Italian calendar, with record prize money
• Premio Vittorio di Capua — dedicated to the legendary stable owner who helped make Milan a horse racing capital
• Betting culture — the racecourse was the centre of Milanese social life, where entrepreneurs, artists, and ordinary people would meet

The racecourse was not just about sport: it was a social gathering place. Milanese families came for picnics on the lawns, young people for the betting, the upper bourgeoisie for the reserved boxes.

Decline and Rebirth: 1990-Today

With the arrival of online betting and declining interest in horse racing, the Racecourse went through difficult years. Maintenance decreased, the stands emptied, and there was even talk of demolition.

But the rebirth came from an intuition: using those enormous spaces for concerts and festivals. The turning point was the arrival of I-Days (then "Independent Days"), which transformed the Racecourse into Milan's largest open-air music venue.

Today, Ippodromo SNAI San Siro lives a double life:

• March to November: weekend gallop races, maintaining the century-old tradition
• June-July: I-Days Milano and major concerts, with capacity up to 70,000+ people
• Year-round: food festivals, vintage markets, cultural events

The SNAI naming rights (since 2022) have brought new investment to the facility, with restoration of the historic grandstands and modernisation of services.

The Architecture: A Liberty Gem

The racecourse is one of the best-preserved Liberty (Art Nouveau) architectural monuments in Milan:

Facts and Curiosities

The Future of the Racecourse

The San Siro Racecourse is at the centre of a broader redevelopment project involving the entire neighbourhood. With the debate over the new stadium and the transformation of the San Siro area, the racecourse is set to maintain (and strengthen) its role as a cultural and sporting hub.

Plans include:

• Complete restoration of the historic Liberty grandstands
• Expansion of spaces for events and concerts
• Integration with the future urban park in the San Siro area
• Greater accessibility with the expansion of Metro M5

For lovers of history, sport, and music, the San Siro Racecourse is — and will remain — one of Milan's most fascinating places.

Visiting the Racecourse

Admission to race days is usually free or at a token price. During I-Days and concerts, specific event tickets are required.

The racecourse is also a wonderful place for a simple stroll: the lawns are open to the public on days without events.

📍 Address: Piazzale dello Sport, 16 — 20151 Milan

🚇 How to get there: Metro M5, San Siro Ippodromo stop (5 min walk from our apartments)