Hipódromo (Hippodrome de la Castellana in Spanish) was a sports facility dedicated to horse racing located in the Paseo de la Castellana in the city of Madrid from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It occupied the space of the current Nuevos Ministerios, on the outskirts of Madrid at that time. It was built by engineer Francisco Boguerín as one of the first "official" and permanent racetracks in the city. Opened in celebration of the wedding of Alfonso XII and María de las Mercedes de Orleans 31 January 1878. During its years of operation was the meeting place of the gentry and aristocracy of the time. In some cases, football competitions and air shows were held. The northern extension of Paseo de la Castellana made it close, and finally toppled in 1933. Instead solar rele