“White Turf” at St. Moritz
Racetracks in the mid-Atlantic are buried under several feet of snow and it has me thinking of the “White Turf” races in St. Moritz. Dating back to 1907, this unique race meet conducts races on snow over the frozen St. Moritz lake.Racing on the snow in Switzerland makes a beautiful sport seem positively majestic. The video below is from an old Canon EOS commercial but provides some great shots of the races -
Races are run three consecutive Sundays in February - the 7th, 14th, and 21st of February this year- and culminates in the Grand Prix of of St. Moritz the final day. The 121,121 Swiss Franc (~$114,000) St. Moritz is the richest stakes held in Switzerland and the White Turf meet forms the premier social event of the city. You can checkout the White Turf Gazette or their website for some great pics & info on this year’s racing program.
The White Turf features thoroughbred races -
Trotters (horses pull a sled instead of a sulky) -
And Skikjoring (horses pulling “jockeys” on skis) -
The White Turf is a pretty darn good alternative to the Big A this time of year, and not a bad excuse to go to St. Moritz in February; as if you needed one.
