The Postal Union for the Mediterranean was established in Rome on March 15, 2011 by 14 postal operators from the Mediterranean region under the umbrella of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). Today it has up to 23 members. Among its numerous actions, one of the most anticipated is the issuance of the stamp within the Euromed Postal series, in which a theme is chosen and all member countries of this organization present their designs freely.
This year 2024 the chosen theme has been MEDITERRANEAN SPORTS and the motif illustrated on the stamp is harness racing.
The sport of trotting horse racing is a sport deeply rooted in the Balearic Islands and considered indigenous by the Balearic Government.
The Balearic Trotting Federation is the entity in charge of the promotion, management, organization and regulation of trotting races. It is a member of the European Trotting Union and recognized as the Spanish Trotting Racing Federation since 2006, and is the only officially recognized entity in the Spanish state for the representation and organization of trotting races in Spain and to represent and defend its rights. interests in the national and international framework.
An equestrian activity that takes place in the Balearic Islands, as well as in the rest of the Spanish state. Currently it is competed in the five racecourses on the islands; two sites in Mallorca (Son Pardo in Palma and Manacor); two in Menorca (Mahón and Torre del Ram in Ciutadella) and at the Sant Rafel Racecourse in Ibiza; and also in Galicia at the Antela Racecourse. A centenary sport in which competitions have been held in other autonomous communities such as Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid or the Canary Islands.
The most prestigious race is the National Grand Prix reserved for 3-year-old national colts and fillies, which is held annually on the third Sunday in May at the Son Pardo Racecourse with a financial prize of 100,000 euros in prizes.
In 2023, 1,466 trotting races were held in Spain in which 890 horses competed, 75% of which were horses born and raised in Spanish territory. Since 2011, races with international bets have been held at the Son Pardo Hippodrome, the profits of which have been destined to promote national breeding, the fight against doping and increase the financial endowment of the races, resulting in a decisive boost for genetic and competitive improvement. of the Spanish trotter breed horses.
