Gran Premio Merano Alto Adige 2026 - Ippodromo di Merano

The Gran Premio Merano Alto Adige, Italy's premier steeplechase, takes place at the Merano-Maia racecourse in South Tyrol on the final Sunday of September. The principal event is a 5,000-meter steeplechase featuring 24 obstacles, including hurdles, ditches, and oxers. This main race is part of a two-day race meeting that includes supporting races like the Premio delle Nazioni – Crystal Cup and the Gran Premio Haflinger, alongside food, a champagne bar, live music, and pony rides for children. The course offers excellent spectator visibility as a significant portion runs alongside the grandstands, allowing attendees to follow the horses without binoculars. The race has been a fixture in Merano’s racing calendar for over 80 years, originating with the racecourse’s opening. Its initial prize money was so substantial it earned the moniker “million-lire race.” The event attracts horse racing enthusiasts from across Europe, including professional riders, racehorses, bettors, families, and local residents marking one of the last major racing events before the winter season.