Located 1,868 metres above sea level, the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse is one of the highest in the world and is the only remaining horse racing arena in the island. It is situated in the heart of Nuwara Eliya among beautiful mountains and was once one of the most fashionable venues in the 1950s giving a scent of Ascot in England. The founder of the Nuwara Eliya Horse Racing Course, John Baker, was the man responsible for the introduction of the sport of horse racing in the 1840s as he built this training course for his own horses.
During the April season, major horse racing events are held and this attracts many people from around the country to witness the spectacular event. The racecourse is surrounded by beautiful flowers and a holds a simple pavilion. It sits at the end of Victoria Park and you can even see it from the Nuwara Eliya Post Office. There are grand colonial houses around which influenced the name, Little England, for Nuwara Eliya. There are horse and pony rides available for those who visit and would like this experience.
