When was the Poster for the 2024 Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races unveiled?
Today, 3 July 2024, the Real Maestranza de Caballería Bullring in Seville hosted one of the most eagerly awaited events of the Andalusian summer: the official presentation of the Poster for the 2024 Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races.
This iconic venue, considered the "cathedral of bullfighting", was chosen to unveil the image that would announce the 179th edition of the oldest equestrian competition in the world.
The Maestranza's Hall of Posters was filled with authorities, institutional representatives and lovers of equestrian culture to reveal a work that symbolises the union between two cities with an unbreakable historical, commercial and cultural bond: Seville and Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Who is the artist behind the Poster for the 2024 Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races?
🎨 The Artist: Leonor Barrero, Sevillian Talent for a Unique Work
The person tasked with creating the Poster for the 2024 Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races was the painter and Fine Arts graduate Leonor Barrero Candau, a Sevillian artist who has captured the essence of the races in her work.
🖼️ The Work: An Acrylic on Paper with a Taste of the Sea
The Poster for the 2024 Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races is an acrylic on paper that portrays with great dynamism and colour the most characteristic image of the Sanlúcar races: horses galloping at full pelt along Sanlúcar beach, with the sea in the background and the unmistakable light of sunset at the mouth of the Guadalquivir. The work conveys the speed, strength and beauty of a unique event in the world, where the sand of the beach becomes the most special racecourse on the planet.
Leonor Barrero, visibly moved during the presentation, expressed her gratitude for "the honour of having been selected" for such a significant commission.
📍 Why is the Poster for the 2024 Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races presented in Seville?
A Centuries‑Old Bond
The choice of the Real Maestranza de Caballería in Seville as the venue for the presentation of the Poster for the 2024 Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races is no coincidence. As Santiago de León y Domecq, Deputy Senior Brother of the institution, pointed out, there is a deep historical connection between the Seville Maestranza and the Royal Society of Sanlúcar Horse Races, a relationship dating back decades and renewed every year with the 'Premio de la Real Maestranza de Caballería', one of the most prestigious races in the cycle.
The mayor of Sanlúcar, Carmen Álvarez, explained at the event that presenting the poster in Seville "not only constitutes a tradition, but also demonstrates the great importance of our horse races". She added: "Sanlúcar has always had a special connection with Seville, whether through our wine, Manzanilla, which also reigns in the casetas of the April Fair; through the Guadalquivir River or through tourism. Sanlúcar always has its doors open to Seville, just as Seville has always opened its doors to us".
🏛️What does the Poster for the 2024 Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races mean for Seville and Sanlúcar?
For Sanlúcar de Barrameda
The Poster for the 2024 Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races is, above all, a symbol of identity. The Horse Races are the town’s biggest tourist attraction, the event that draws the most visitors and generates the greatest economic impact on the city. Mayor Víctor Mora (in historical statements) has highlighted that during the races "the city hangs out the 'full house' sign".
But this year the celebration had an extra meaning: the official candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage status. As Carmen Álvarez stressed, "this year’s presentation is even more special, since we have formalised the letter of support from Sanlúcar City Council for the file to request the inscription of our city’s horse races on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity".
For Seville
The presentation at the Maestranza reinforces Seville’s role as a cultural capital and showcase for Andalusia’s great traditions. The Councillor for Tourism of Seville City Council, Ángela Moreno, highlighted the links between the two cities, which are also materialised in the presence of a 'Premio de la Ciudad de Sevilla' to be held on 28 August.
For her part, Carmen Ortiz, Territorial Delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Andalusian Regional Government in Seville, expressed the "support of the Andalusian government for an event so important for all of Andalusia that attracts thousands of visitors".
For THE SUN PLACESFor THE SUN PLACES, the Poster for the 2024 Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races represents the perfect opportunity to offer our guests an authentic, elegant and deeply Andalusian experience. Sanlúcar de Barrameda is much more than its races: it is its gastronomy, its wineries, its sunsets and its connection to the Guadalquivir, the same river that links the city with Seville.
📜 The History of the Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races: 179 Years of Tradition
Origins: The Aristocracy's Summer Retreat
The history of the Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races dates back to the 19th century, when the Dukes of Montpensier —Antonio de Orleans and Infanta María Luisa Fernanda— established their residence in Seville and turned Sanlúcar into the "San Sebastián of the south" during the summer months. Around the court of the Montpensiers, the great families of the Sevillian, Jerez and Madrid aristocracy began to spend their summers in the Cádiz town, and horse racing emerged as a private entertainment for high society.
The First Official Edition of the Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races: 31 August 1845It was not until 31 August 1845 that the first official edition of the races was held, under the direction of the Royal Society of Sanlúcar Horse Races, an organisation created that same year that continues to organise the event today. Since then, the races have been held uninterrupted, becoming the oldest equestrian competition in the world.
The Uniqueness of the Beach as a Racecourse
What makes the Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races unique is the setting: the beach. The racecourse stretches from Bajo de Guía beach to Las Piletas beach, where the finish line is located, reaching up to two kilometres in length for the longest competitions. The event is divided into two cycles that coincide with low tides in the afternoon, allowing the horses to gallop on the firm sand.
An Event of International Tourist Interest
In 1997, the Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races were declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest, a recognition of their cultural, historical and touristic importance. Today, they are the great attraction of the Sanlúcar summer, attracting thousands of visitors each year and generating an economic impact of over one million euros in prizes and sponsorships.
🖼️The History of the Sanlúcar de Barrameda Races Posters: Ephemeral Art, Eternal Legacy
The First Posters: Years 1900-1935
The tradition of graphically illustrating Sanlúcar’s summer festivals is over a century old. The first identified festive poster in Sanlúcar dates from 1900, marking the start of a period of splendour in Sanlúcar’s graphic illustration that lasted until 1935.
In those early years, the posters announced not only the races but the entire "Summer Season" (as the 1900 poster was titled) or the "Summer Fair and Festivities" (1901), including the patron saint festivals, bullfights and, of course, the horse races as one of the star events.
What sets Sanlúcar’s posters apart from others of the period is their strong tourist message. While other cities advertised specific festivals, Sanlúcar promoted the benefits of the beach, the mild summer temperatures, the therapeutic sea baths and the medicinal waters of Las Piletas. As early as 1901, the "cool temperature and pure, balsamic air" were being promoted.
The Evolution: From Chromolithography to Contemporary Art
When chromolithography —which allowed printing in several colours— became widespread in Spain around 1890, Sanlúcar was one of the first cities to adopt this technique for its advertising campaigns. The early adoption of graphic illustration in Sanlúcar was driven by the promotion of two of the city’s great resources: the beach (as a generator of the tourism industry) and the wine‑making activity.
The Most Beloved and Emblematic Sanlúcar de Barrameda Races Posters
Over the years, many Sanlúcar de Barrameda Races Posters have been etched in the memory of the people of Sanlúcar. Among the most memorable and distinctive, one poster stands out that the Royal Society of Horse Races itself described as "unique" in a social media post, inviting followers to discover its peculiarity. Among the comments, enthusiasts pointed out that it might be "the last poster with the National Tourist Interest category before becoming International in 1997", or that it depicted the four historic Sanlúcar stables: La Gitana, Delgado Montalván, El Cabeza and Cherry.
The Poster for the 2024 Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races in the Wake of a Century‑Old Tradition
Leonor Barrero’s poster thus joins a graphic tradition spanning over 120 years, in which leading artists have contributed to building the image of a race meeting that is now the heritage of all Andalusians. The choice of the Real Maestranza in Seville for its presentation also underscores the institutional and symbolic importance the event holds for all of Andalusia.
🏇 The Cycles and Prizes of The 2024 Sanlúcar Horse Races will be held in two cycles:
- CycleDatesCharacteristicsFirst Cycle14, 16 and 17 AugustCoinciding with low tides in the first half of the month
- Second Cycle28, 29 and 30 AugustThe long August weekend, featuring the 'Premio de la Ciudad de Sevilla'
- In total, 25 races will be held, with an overall budget of over €1.2 million, of which more than €250,000 is allocated to prize money.
Where to Stay to Enjoy the Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races
🏡 THE SUN PLACES: Experience the Races in Luxury in Sanlúcar
For THE SUN PLACES, the Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races represent a unique opportunity to offer our guests a luxury experience in one of the most beautiful settings in the world.
🌟 Our Proposal for the Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races:
- Strategic Accommodation: Our Luxury Apartments in Sanlúcar de Barrameda are located in the historic centre and in the Bajo de Guía area, just a few minutes from the seafront promenade and the beaches where the races take place.
- Comfort and Exclusivity: After enjoying the galloping horses on the sand, return to a haven of tranquillity and elegance, with private terraces, equipped kitchens and all the comfort you deserve.
- Complete Experience: We help you design your stay with:
- Advice on the best days and times to see the races according to the tides.
- Recommendations for restaurants where you can taste the best Sanlúcar cuisine (prawns, manzanilla, fried fish).
- Visits to emblematic wineries such as Hidalgo La Gitana or Barbadillo.
- Boat trips along the Guadalquivir to the Doñana National Park.
- The Bond with Seville: Make the most of your stay by combining the races with a visit to Seville, also staying in our luxury apartments in the Andalusian capital, connected by the same river that links these two sister cities.
📞 Contact THE SUN PLACES to book your stay in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Discover the races, the beach, the manzanilla and the charm of a city that beats to the rhythm of the Guadalquivir.