Unique events at the Służewiec Track. A whole spectrum of emotions

SPORTS REVIEW: Which events in the 2025 season deserve special attention – apart from the Derby and the Great Warsaw Cup?

ARTUR KAPELKO: In the second part of the season, after the Derby Gala, on August 24, we will have Arabian Day. The Europe Prize will be held then, which is one of the most important tests for Arabian horses in the region. In September, on the 13th and 14th, the next edition of the GalopFest Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival will take place. This is a brand that we have been successfully developing for the fourth year. Entry to the track is free on these days, and we invite guests for delicious food and good fun with family and friends. It is also worth visiting Służewiec on one of the smaller race days, which take place almost every weekend. This is an extraordinary opportunity to see how this world works.

What emotions do you think most attract spectators to horse racing?

The moment when the horses set off from the starting machine is hard to compare to anything else. Everything falls silent, the audience freezes in anticipation... and they set off. The clatter of galloping hooves, the energy of the crowd and the tension increase with every step of the horses until they cumulate on the finishing straight and the moment they cross the crosshairs. In the less than two minutes that the race lasts, the participants and spectators experience a whole range of emotions. In the stands there are regulars and people who, watching the races for the first time, let themselves be carried away by this unique atmosphere. Emotions are also stirred by everything that surrounds this moment: during the race days, the strong bond between trainers, riders, stable workers and owners with the horses is striking. You can see that it is not just a competition, but also a beautiful relationship between man and animal. It is a mixture of tradition, passion and community, and for the spectators an extraordinary opportunity to immerse themselves in a world where sport meets history. Each race is a different story that is being written. It is worth being here for the emotions, but also for the unique atmosphere that stands out from other sporting events.

The Służewiec track is not just about racing – it is also a community of people with great passion. How does Totalizator Sportowy support this community of breeders, trainers and riders?

At the beginning of the season, Totalizator Sportowy increased the prize pool in races by two million zlotys, which was a strong impulse for development. We systematically carry out infrastructure activities aimed at improving the comfort and conditions of everyday work. At the same time, we are aware that this beautiful place on the map of Warsaw requires serious financial outlays that go beyond the capabilities of even such a powerful company as Totalizator Sportowy, which is why I dream of establishing a foundation that will support the preservation of monuments in Służewiec. Another important area is promotional activities, thanks to which interest in races increases among spectators. We cooperate with the Polish Horse Racing Club, support women and young riders, and together with partners invest in the future of this discipline.

Many visitors to Tor Służewiec are surprised by how vibrant this place is. Do racing events in Poland have the potential to open up to a wider audience?

Definitely yes. We notice it with each successive season. We invest in new promotion channels, offer diverse events and additional attractions. We see the extraordinary potential of this discipline. The races attract not only enthusiasts, but also families, young people or people looking for interesting experiences for the weekend. Warsaw residents come to Służewiec, but also guests from all over Poland and abroad. The key is to combine a high level of sports with a modern setting for the events.

How is racing culture being built in Poland today – both in terms of lifestyle and education of new generations?

We focus on accessibility and education. We organize trips for children from kindergartens and schools and walks with guides around the track. We engage children and young people in events, building an emotional bond with the discipline. An example is the Hobby Horse League "Skok na Tor". We show that horse racing is a fascinating world also for younger generations. At the same time, we support the activities of the Polish Horse Racing Club, aimed at increasing the number of young riders.

How do you assess the current state of horse racing in Poland? What is the biggest challenge and what is the biggest opportunity?

In my opinion, horse racing in Poland is at a turning point today. On the one hand, we have stable foundations: a committed community of breeders, trainers and riders, strong traditions and a beautiful place like Tor Służewiec. On the other: we need bold actions to attract new generations and build the attractiveness of the discipline. The biggest challenge is to refresh the image without losing tradition. And the opportunity? A new wave of interest in premium sports and nature, which combine in horse racing.

I have already mentioned the enormous responsibility that rests on all of us who have the development of racing at heart, concerning the care of the monuments in Służewiec, but there is also another issue - concerning the construction of financial foundations for this sport. President Beata Stelmach and the Management Board of Totalizator Sportowy have appointed a team whose goal is to develop racing, including financially. In many places in the world, this sport is very profitable and brings significant revenues, also to the state budget. I have a dream that this will also happen in Poland. Let me remind you that league football in our country has gone a similar way. Today, it is a sport that earns a lot of money for itself.

How does Totalizator Sportowy reconcile the sports and cultural mission of Tor Służewiec with its business goals?

For us, one does not exclude the other. The mission of Totalizator Sportowy is to support sports, including the less commercial and sometimes even niche ones. The example of our Olympic gold medalist Aleksandra Mirosław is simply exemplary. The Służewiec Track is a space for long-term investment for us. It is worth emphasizing that historically the cost of patronage over the Track makes a huge impression. We are developing it as a place for enthusiasts and families, but also a valuable image project for the entire company and an important place in the history of our country.

The add-on was created in commercial cooperation with Totalizator Sportowy Sp. z o. o.