Polo, racing and cricket: the sporting season in Barbados

About Polo, racing and cricket: the sporting season in Barbados

By the ULTIMATE Barbados Editorial Team

Barbados takes its sport seriously, and three traditions are worth planning a trip around: polo in the winter season, racing on the Garrison Savannah, and cricket at Kensington Oval.

Polo

Polo moved to Holders in St. James in 1965, and the Barbados Polo Club still plays there, with a season that runs roughly from January to May, according to press reports. Matches depend on the weather, and the final call is made the day before; follow the club’s social media for fixtures, as its website was not working when we checked.

Racing at the Garrison

The Garrison Savannah, part of the UNESCO-listed Garrison, has been used for horse racing since the 19th century, and the Barbados Turf Club runs the meetings. The big day is the Sandy Lane Gold Cup in March: Sandy Lane has sponsored it since 1997, and the resort calls it one of the most prestigious fixtures in the Caribbean racing calendar.

The Garrison Savannah has been a racing venue since the 19th century.

Cricket at Kensington Oval

Kensington Oval in Bridgetown is the island’s great cricket ground, which hosted the 2007 World Cup final. It stages Test matches, one-day internationals and Caribbean Premier League games; check the ground’s own site and the Barbados Cricket Association for fixtures and tickets.

Good to know

Fixture lists are announced by the organisers, often only weeks ahead. Book tickets through the official sites, and take a hat and plenty of water for an afternoon in the sun.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Polo, racing and cricket: the sporting season in Barbados before you go.