Markopoulo stands proud as the only racecourse in Greece and was completed in December 2003 in time for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens. The racecourse is located on the outskirts of the Greek capital, 20 miles from the city centre and a convenient distance from the International Airport. Starting life as the Markopoulo Equestrian Centre, the right handed oval sand track has a perimeter of 10 furlongs and has the capacity to hold up to 6,500 people. Meetings are generally held 3 times each week throughout the year, although there is a break during the blisteringly hot summer month of August. Its principal race is the Greek Derby.

Although it is likely that horse racing was held in Ancient Greece, in more modern times racing was established in 1925 when the Hellenic Privileged Horse-Racing Company was formed, organising races in the Delta Falirou region near Piraeus, close to Athens. Within a year the Greek Jockey Club was formed and set about establishing a set of rules to govern the sport, although there was only a small pool of horses (70) to choose from and an even smaller (36) group of active jockeys. This situation continued until the outbreak of the Second World War, during which time the racecourse was all but destroyed. Racing took a low profile, although the Greek Derby had already been launched in 1931 and continued after the end of the War. However the injection of cash from the 2004 Olympics enabled the sport to re-emerge.

Greek Derby Winners (race was launched in 1931)
1957 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Digenis in 2 mins 45.2 secs
1958 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Andros Sailor in 2 mins 45.4 secs
1959 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Heraklis in 2 mins 49.4 secs
1960 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Argstoli in 2 mins 45.6 secs
1961 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Andros in 2 mins 46.4 secs
1962 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Voukefalos in 2 mins 45.0 secs
1963 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Athoos in 2 mins 43.0 secs
1964 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Thalis in 2 mins 42.0secs
1965 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Mpeis in 2 mins 43.4 secs
1966 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Anemos in 2 mins 40.6 secs
1967 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Laertis in 2 mins 38.8 secs
1968 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Machi in 2 mins 42.2 secs
1969 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Nilefs in 2 mins 40.2 secs
1970 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Dandis in 2 mins 38.6 secs
1971 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Anax in 2 mins 42.4 secs
1972 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Ifestos in 2 mins 43.6 secs
1973 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Romanos in 2 mins 43.6 secs
1974 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Stavraetos in 2 mins 43.0 secs
1975 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Marilou in 2 mins 42.4 secs
1976 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Balaton in 2 mins 37.2 secs
1977 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Leondokardos in 2 mins 41.0 secs
1978 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Adam in 2 mins 41.0 secs
1979 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Tzentzerale in 2 mins 39.8 secs
1980 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Prokroustis in 2 mins 42.6 secs
1981 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Royal Copy in 2 mins 41.2 secs
1982 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Klara in 2 mins 40.0 secs
1983 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Toxo in 2 mins 39.2 secs
1984 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Evippos in 2 mins 39.2 secs
1985 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Rambo in 2 mins 36,0 secs
1986 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Strong Mischel in 2 mins 38.9 secs
1987 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Lafayet in 2 mins 36.46 secs
1988 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Elegant Boy in 2 mins 39.55 secs
1989 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Gouinto in 2 mins 37.29 secs
1990 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Summer in 2 mins 39.82 secs
1991 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Scoobidoo in 2 mins 32.07 secs
1992 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Pindaros in 2 mins 33.41 secs
1993 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Tzianfranko in 2 mins 37.48 secs
1994 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Athinoros in 2 mins 36.28 secs
1995 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by D.Skopeftis in 2 mins 37.67 secs
1996 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Balal in 2 mins 41.66 secs
1997 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Filandros in 2 mins 36.24 secs
1998 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Honest Way in 2 mins 36.04 secs
1999 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Psilos in 2 mins 41.67 secs
2000 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Maximos in 2 mins 40.3 secs
2001 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Olympic Winner in 2 mins 38.08 secs
2002 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Magikos Perivolos in 2 mins 38.79 secs
2003 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Politeia in 2 mins 38.8 secs
2004 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Deinos in 2 mins 35.59 secs
2005 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Stratos in 2 mins 34.68 secs
2006 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Parforos in 2 mins 31.81 secs
2007 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Machimos in 2 mins 33.49 secs
2008 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Elegand Marianna in 2 mins 34.51 secs
2009 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Grentis Ken in 2 mins 32.32 secs
2017 The Greek Derby over 2400 metres was won by Youtalkintome

ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3

652 pages

774 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0

352 pages

400 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7

180 pages

140 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4

264 pages

235 former courses