Jockey Club del Perú

Peruvian horse racing association From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Jockey Club del Perú (JCP) is a Peruvian civil association headquartered at Fundo Monterrico Chico, a neighbourhood of Santiago de Surco, in Lima. Established on April 4, 1946, it promotes equestrianism in the country. It operates the Hipódromo de Monterrico, the largest in the country.

AbbreviationJCP
PredecessorJockey Club de Lima
FormationApril 4, 1946 (1946-04-04)
Founded atJunta for Law No. 10345
Quick facts Abbreviation, Predecessor ...
Jockey Club del Perú
AbbreviationJCP
PredecessorJockey Club de Lima
FormationApril 4, 1946 (1946-04-04)
Founded atJunta for Law No. 10345
TypeNonprofit
Legal statusAsociación Civil
HeadquartersSantiago de Surco, Peru
President
Danilo Chávez
AffiliationsACCCP
Websitejcp.org.pe (Archive)
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Dedicated to horse racing and equestrian sports, it is a direct successor of the Jockey Club de Lima, established in 1895 and the operator the now defunct Hipódromo de Santa Beatriz. The race track was replaced by the Hipódromo de San Felipe, operated by the JCP, and eventually replaced by the club in Monterrico. Its current location now hosts a racetrack, multi-purpose entertainment premises, and also serves as the premises of the Peruvian Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ACCCP).

History

Horse racing in Peru

Horse racing in Peru dates back to the mid-19th century, when the sport was introduced by the local British community. The first public race in the country took place at the Cancha de la Mar Brava, located in Bellavista, on February 29, 1864. The event was supported and attended by colonel Miguel Medina [es], then prefect of Callao. A wooden tribune was built, limited by ropes, and the track was configured in the English style.[1][2] The competition included a jump race and two races on a smooth, obstacle-free course,[3] and the horses were Peruvian and Chilean, mixed with English stallions.[4] The recurring events in Callao proved successful, and a second rudimentary track was built at the Pampa del Pino, today partially known as El Porvenir. A race was held in 1866, but the dangerous terrain forced its abandonment. It was succeeded by another racecourse in Chacra Colorada, known as the Cancha de Lima.[1]

The Sociedad de Carreras del Perú, a racing association headed by Waldo Graña, was established in late 1871,[3] and a permanent location was ultimately built in La Legua, the first such complex. The field was known as the "Cancha Meiggs" after Henry Meiggs, whose heirs donated the land, and operated from its inauguration on August 15, 1877 until 1902.[1] It was originally known as the "Cancha de la Legua" due to its aforementioned location, [3] near the Mirones estate.[4] Important races were held on July 29–30.[4] Outside of Lima and Callao, estate owners took an interest in horse breeding, notably in the haciendas of San José (Cañete) and Palo Seco (Chimbote). Civilian life was interrupted in April 1879 by the War of the Pacific, and the two civil wars that followed, the latter of which concluded in 1895.[5] Following this period, activities continued, with more horses being brought from England and other locations.[3]

The Jockey Club de Lima was established in 1895, replacing the society founded in 1871. Its first president was lawyer Ricardo Ortiz de Zevallos y Tagle.[3] The club made efforts at the end of the century to acquire a location for a new, modern racecourse. At the end of the 19th century, a 99-year emphyteusis concession was obtained from the municipal government for the lands of the Santa Beatriz estate. These efforts concluded on June 11, 1903, when the Hipódromo de Santa Beatriz was inaugurated.[1][4][6] Then-politician Augusto B. Leguía had been among the racetrack's promoters, also popularising the place bet among local women.[3]

The hippodrome's first tribune was built in the Moorish Revival style through the efforts of Alfredo Benavides Diez-Canseco, and a second tribune was built in 1909. The 1921–1924 period was Santa Beatriz's golden era, at the end of which a 2,400-metre (7,900 ft) track and another tribune for associates (the only remaining structure) was also built in land donated by Leguía. Races commemorating the Centennial of the Independence of Peru were held in their respective years,[1] as was an event commemorating general Roque Sáenz Peña in 1905.[4] In response to its popularity, an avenue was built to connect Bolognesi Square with the hippodrome, eventually known as Guzmán Blanco.[4] The track was reduced in size to 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) following the 1930 Peruvian coup d'état, and the racecourse was shut down in 1938 due to Lima's ongoing urban growth.[1]

Following talks between Club President Enrique Ayulo Pardo [es] and Head of State Óscar R. Benavides, another racecourse was built at San Felipe, an estate adjacent to the newly-inagurated Salaverry Avenue, and operational for the remaining duration of the 99-year concession. Known as the Hipódromo de San Felipe, it was inaugurated on December 4, 1938.[1] A breeders' association, the "Asociación de Criadores de Caballos de Carrera del Perú" (ACCCP), was established in April 8, 1950, with Ernesto Ayulo Pardo serving as its foundational president.[7]

Jockey Club del Perú

The Jockey Club del Perú (JCP) was established on April 4, 1946. At the time, it continued to function at San Felipe. In 1951, plans began to build a new racecourse began, as San Felipe's capacity was insufficient for the ever-growing popularity of horse racing in Peru. Security was also considered, as a group stopped a race by invading the track and hurling rocks on November 30, 1952. A 110-hectare (270-acre) terrain in Santiago de Surco was acquired by the board of directors in 1955, and construction of the new premises began immediately, concluding in 1960.[4]

That same year, San Felipe held its last race, and the new racecourse—Hipódromo de Monterrico—became operational on December 18, at the time the most modern in South America.[4] Week End was the first race's winning horse. On February 17, 1966, the recreation center was inaugurated, replacing the old central premises at Belén Street. Notable races held in San Felipe included the 1952 "Gran Premio Internacional Presidente de la República del Perú" and the 1959 "Jockey Club del Perú."[1] The club has a seating capacity for about 25,000 people.[8]

Organisation

List of presidents

The club is headed by a president. Since 2023, the incumbent president is Danilo Chávez Abad.

  • Ricardo Ortiz de Zevallos y Tagle (1871–?; Sociedad de Carreras del Perú)[3]
  • Miguel A. Checa (1921–1926; Jockey Club de Lima)[6]
  • Carlos Roe Battistini (2005–2011)
  • Luis Razzeto Ríos (2011–2015)
  • Jorge Mujica Cogorno (2015–2019)[9]
  • Alejandro Aguinaga Recuenco (2019–2023)
  • Danilo Chávez Abad (2023–2027)

Other uses

Other than horse racing, the venue is also used for other events such as concerts[8] and sports events, like the Lima Challenger. Notable concerts include:

References

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