The Hipodromo Nacional de Maronas, Uruguays main racecourse, can be found in the Maronas area of the city in the suburb of Ituzaingo. The left handed oval track has a circumference of about 10 furlongs and first opened its gates in 1874, albeit with a poor quality viewing area, but in 1888 a more permanent grandstand was built. The racecourse was closed for a 6 year period between 1997 and 2003 for renovation before being taken over by a private company called Maronas Entertainment. It reopened on 29th June 2003 witnessed by a crowd in excess of 7000. Its principal race is the Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres which was first run in 1889 and is staged on the 6th January each year.

Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez winners since 2004
2004 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Bat Ruizero trained by Roberto Pellegata and ridden by Juan C Noriega
2005 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Equipado trained by Walter Baez and ridden by Gustavo J Duarte
2006 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Jampro trained by Raul Cardozo and ridden by Waldemar Maciel
2007 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Good Report trained by Luis A Belela and ridden by Jorge A Ricardo
2008 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Rock Ascot trained by Hayne A Gonzalez and ridden by Carlos S Mendez
2009 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Relento trained by Ubal N Migues and ridden by Jose M Silva
2010 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Sing-a-Song trained by Pedro C Hernandez and ridden by Fernando C Olivera
2011 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Mr Nedawi trained by Joao G Da Costa and ridden by Jose Aparecido
2012 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Alcazar trained by Elio A Umpierrez and ridden by Roni Von Souza
2013 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Imperrito trained by Sebastian San Martin and ridden by Fernando C Olivera
2014 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Hielo trained by Alcides P Perdomo and ridden by Eguard A Tejera
2015 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Hielo trained by Alcides P Perdomo and ridden by Julio C Mendez
2016 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Fletcher trained by Anibal San Martin and ridden by Luis Caceres
2017 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Gandhi di Job trained by Jorge Firpo and ridden by Federico Piriz
2018 The Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez over 2400 metres was won by Gandhi di Job trained by Jorge Firpo and ridden by Federico Piriz