HISTORY AND ART
There’s plenty more ‘horsing around’ taking place in the autumn as well, on the Turku Day weekend 15-16 September. The traditional Metsämäki racetrack is the place to see both familiar faces and the Nordic Championship races. “The races are, above all, a social event,” explains Roger Johansson from Turku Hippos. He continues: “Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a gambler to love racing. Nowadays, 95% of bets laid are done so from the sofa at home, and most come to Metsämäki to enjoy the atmosphere.”
In recent years the race culture, formerly dominated by middle-aged men, is now attracting more women and families. Also, at Metsämäki there is a programme of harness-racing, where the enthusiasts are predminantly women. Horse-riding has seen the arrival of a lovely new breed of hobby-horses, with passionate enthusiasts creating a phenomenon that has attracted international interest. The loveable hobby-horses also join the Metsämäki Nordic Races - welcome news for kids and the young at heart!
You don’t need to be a gambler to love racing. Metsämäki has been the home track for the young racer, Kiss my Turku. Its winnings were put to good use at the local children’s hospital. Kiss my Turku also won the annual Turku award in 2016.
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NORDIC CHAMPIONSHIP RACES, TURKU 15–16 SEP
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The adorable hobby-horses are part of the Nordic Races. Hobby-horsing – what a fantastic reason to go and discover racing!