Race Course and the Polo Culture of Lahore: A Guide

Lahore is one of the great homes of polo and equestrian sport in the country. The city is host to the historic Lahore Polo Club, one of the oldest polo clubs in the world, along with racecourses, riding schools and famous tournaments. Polo, horse riding and horse racing have a long and proud history in the city, tied to its royal, colonial and modern chapters. For anyone getting to know Lahore, the polo and equestrian culture of the city offers a window into a graceful, historic sport and a lively social scene that thrives each season.

This guide explains the polo and equestrian culture of Lahore, covering the history of the sport, the Lahore Polo Club and other venues, the racing scene, the tournament season and how to experience it.

Polo and horses in Lahore

Polo holds a special place in the sporting culture of Lahore. The city is one of the main centres of polo in the country, alongside Rawalpindi and Islamabad, hosting historic clubs, well maintained grounds and the headline tournaments of the national polo calendar. The sport has deep roots in the wider region, played in the high altitude areas of Gilgit, Chitral and Skardu for centuries before it became a colonial pastime. It was popular with the Mughal emperors, who called it chaugan. The Emperor Akbar is said to have been the first to introduce a set of rules.

Lahore carries a famous place in the story of polo. The sultan Qutb ud din Aibak, a ruler of Delhi, died in 1210 when his horse fell while he was playing polo in Lahore. The main polo ground in the city is named the Aibak Ground in his memory. Beyond polo, the city has a strong equestrian culture of horse riding, show jumping and horse racing with riding schools and clubs teaching the sport to all ages.

Quick answer: Lahore is one of the main homes of polo and equestrian sport in the country. It is host to the historic Lahore Polo Club, established in 1886 and one of the oldest in the world, along with riding schools and racecourses. The city hosts headline tournaments such as the Quaid e Azam Gold Cup and has a polo heritage reaching back centuries.

Lahore Polo Club

The Lahore Polo Club is the heart of the polo culture of the city. It was established in 1886, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious polo clubs in the world, representing the colonial legacy of the city and its ongoing dedication to equestrian sport. It is located at the Golf Land in the G.O.R. I area near the Race Course and the historic government quarters with well maintained grounds and elegant surroundings.

The Lahore Polo Club is known for its famous grounds. The main ground is called the Aibak Ground, named after the sultan Qutb ud din Aibak, who died playing polo in Lahore. The club has two well maintained polo grounds on site that host quality players and matches throughout the season. The club offers more than matches, providing horse riding classes for all age groups, training facilities and horse boarding, along with a lively social atmosphere with a pavilion and dining.

Tournament season

Lahore is the setting for some of the most competitive polo in the region, hosting the headline tournaments of the national polo calendar. The Pakistan Polo Association, the governing body established in 1947, organises tournaments at various handicap levels, up to the top 14 goal level. The Lahore Polo Club, the Lahore Garrison Polo Ground and the Jinnah Polo Fields in the DHA host the headline events, drawing the best teams and players of the country.

Lahore hosts the crown jewels of the polo calendar. The Quaid e Azam Gold Cup, the National Open is the most prestigious tournament, drawing teams at the top handicap levels. The Aibak Polo Cup is one of the most storied tournaments in the region, played for decades. The polo scene has become thoroughly international: each season, foreign professionals fly in from Argentina, the United Kingdom and beyond to play alongside the elite players of the country. Argentine players and coaches have shaped the sport over the past two decades, raising its quality.

Horse racing and riding

Lahore has a strong horse racing and riding scene alongside its polo culture, centred on the Race Course area. The historic Race Course, now largely the green Jilani Park, gave the area its name and its equestrian tradition. The racing community continues its scene with a racecourse and race meetings through the racing season. Thoroughbreds bred for the track, some carrying international bloodlines, are prized as serious investments.

Lahore offers horse riding for enthusiasts of all levels. Riding schools and clubs teach the sport to beginners, regular riders, children and women. The Lahore Polo Club offers riding lessons and monthly packages. Other riding schools offer classical riding, show jumping and training in the care of horses. Clubs and schools focus on sound training methods, the safety of riders and the welfare of horses, grooming the next generation of riders and polo players.

Experiencing the culture

Lahore offers many ways to experience its polo and equestrian culture, whether as a spectator, a rider or a visitor. Watching a polo match is a memorable experience: the polo season, generally in the cooler months is the best time to watch matches at the Lahore Polo Club and the other grounds. The headline tournaments draw the largest crowds and the best play. It is worth checking the schedule of the Pakistan Polo Association or the clubs for match dates.

Learning to ride is open to all. The Lahore Polo Club and other riding schools offer lessons for all ages and levels, from single lessons to monthly packages. Children, women and adults are all welcome. Visiting the venues is a pleasure in its own right: the Lahore Polo Club offers historic grounds and a graceful setting, the Race Course area, now the green Jilani Park, offers a pleasant setting tied to the racing heritage. The Jinnah Polo Fields in the DHA host top matches. These venues are best visited during the season, when the grounds come alive.

Places near the Race Course and polo grounds

The polo and equestrian venues of Lahore are located within reach of many landmarks and useful places. The Lahore Polo Club is located at the Golf Land in the G.O.R. I area near the Race Course and the Jilani Park. The Jilani Park, the historic Race Course Park is close to the club. The Gaddafi Stadium and the Lahore Gymkhana are nearby.

The Jinnah Polo Fields lie in the DHA, one of the leading residential areas of the city. The Mall Road and the central city with its colonial landmarks, are within reach. Gulberg with the Liberty Market and the MM Alam Road is nearby. The Lahore Zoo and the Bagh e Jinnah are a short drive away.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Lahore Polo Club? The Lahore Polo Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious polo clubs in the world, established in 1886. It is located at the Golf Land in the G.O.R. I area of Lahore near the Race Course. It has two grounds, including the famous Aibak Ground. It offers polo matches and horse riding classes.

Why is the main polo ground called the Aibak Ground? The main polo ground in Lahore is named the Aibak Ground after the sultan Qutb ud din Aibak, a ruler of Delhi. He died in 1210 when his horse fell while he was playing polo in Lahore. The name ties the polo culture of the city to a story more than 800 years old.

When is the polo season in Lahore? The polo season generally falls in the cooler months. It is the best time to watch matches at the Lahore Polo Club and the other grounds. The headline tournaments, such as the Quaid e Azam Gold Cup and the Aibak Polo Cup, draw the largest crowds. It is best to check the club or association schedule for exact dates.

Where can you learn horse riding in Lahore? The Lahore Polo Club offers horse riding lessons and monthly packages for all ages and levels. Other riding schools in the city offer classical riding, show jumping and training. Beginners, regular riders, children and women are all welcome at the riding schools of the city.

What are the main polo tournaments held in Lahore? Lahore hosts the headline tournaments of the national polo calendar, including the Quaid e Azam Gold Cup, the National Open, along with the storied Aibak Polo Cup. These are played at venues such as the Lahore Polo Club, the Lahore Garrison Polo Ground and the Jinnah Polo Fields in the DHA.

What is the connection between the Race Course and polo? The Race Course area, now largely the green Jilani Park, gave its name to the racing and equestrian heritage of the city. The Lahore Polo Club is located nearby at the Golf Land. The area ties together the horse racing, riding and polo culture of the city in one historic quarter.

Lahore is one of the great homes of polo and equestrian sport in the country with a heritage that reaches back centuries. From the Mughal game of chaugan to the story of Qutb ud din Aibak and the founding of the Lahore Polo Club in 1886, the city has a polo culture unlike anywhere else. Its historic clubs, its famous grounds and its headline tournaments make Lahore the centre of the sport in the country.

The polo and equestrian culture of the city brings together history, sport and a lively social scene. The Lahore Polo Club and the other grounds host fiercely competitive matches each season, drawing top players from Argentina and beyond, while the racing community and the riding schools keep the wider equestrian life thriving. The Race Course area, now the green Jilani Park, ties the racing and polo heritage together in one historic quarter. Whether you visit to watch a match at the Aibak Ground, to learn to ride or simply to soak up the graceful atmosphere of the season, the polo and equestrian culture of Lahore offers a memorable window into a proud and historic tradition.