Hipódromo de Los Andes

Hipódromo de Los Andes in Bogotá is Colombia's foremost thoroughbred racing venue and one of the most unusual in world racing — the track sits at approximately 2,600 metres above sea level in the Sabana de Bogotá, making it one of the highest-altitude major horse racing facilities on earth. The altitude profoundly affects racing physiology: horses' cardiovascular systems must work significantly harder at altitude, race times are slower than at sea level, and horses acclimatised to racing at altitude rarely perform to the same level when transported to lowland tracks. The Jockey Club de Colombia administers the Bogotá racing programme, running meetings year-round on the city's temperate plateau climate. The Gran Premio José María Ruiz Peña is the country's most prestigious race, attracting the best of the Colombian programme's thoroughbred population.