The Waregem hippodrome (also called the Gaverbeek hippodrome) is a hippodrome in the Belgian city of Waregem. It is one of the few hippodromes where the race is clockwise, like the Ostend hippodrome.[1]

After several races had already been held in the streets of the municipality of Waregem,[2] Baroness de Kerkhove de Denterghem, Countess Vilain XIIII,[3] granted a location opposite her Potegem Castle where a hippodrome could be built. The hippodrome was first put into use in 1855, and the first steeplechase took place there in 1858.

The Waregem hippodrome is a multi-purpose terrain. The terrain contains a 1106-metre-long race track for trotting and also a 1400-metre-long obstacle course for galloping. The obstacles consist of a hedge, a wall, a double jump, an oxer, a brook, an open ditch, rail ditch and fence, an Irish bank and a stream (the Gaverbeek).

The best-known race is the Grote Steeplechase van Vlaanderen as part of Waregem Koerse, an annual event on the Tuesday after the last Sunday in August. This Grote Steeplechase is part of the European Crystal Cup.

The Belgian cyclo-cross championships also took place here on 11 and 12 January 2014.

External links
Website of Waregem Koerse
Website of the hippodrome
Sources, notes and/or references
cultuurinwaregem.blogspot.com/2012/10/4-de-waregemse-hippodroom.html?m=1
The Waregem Koerse has existed since 1848.
Inventory of immovable heritage including the history of the hippodrome

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Katrien

April 6, 2025

The Gaverbeek hippodrome is the calling card of Waregem, as a city of horses. It is not only popular because of the professional trotting and galloping track. On the 17 hectares of the Waregem racecourse there are also stables, an all-weather track, a water feature, etc. On the east side, the hippodrome seamlessly merges into the accommodations of the Sport.Vlaanderen centre.

From May to September, there are trotting races on the track of the hippodrome almost every week. In addition, there are also numerous dressage, jumping and galloping competitions here. The most famous is and remains Waregem Koerse. On the first Tuesday after the last Sunday in August, tens of thousands of spectators come to Waregem for this, with the famous jumps over the Gaverbeek as the highlight.

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Location: Waregem, Kortrijk, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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