Its history began in 1831, when the Horse Racing Hunting Society received 122 dessiatines of land on Khodynka Field by decree of the Senate. On August 1, 1834, the first trotting race took place on Khodynka Field. It is 1834 that is considered the year the Central Moscow Hippodrome was founded.

Then the hippodrome developed rapidly: more and more horses took part in the races, and records began to improve at all distances.

Since 1918, the Central Moscow Hippodrome was mothballed. Due to the civil war, military training sessions were held on the territory, and workers’ rallies were held in the stands. V. I. Lenin gave a speech at one of them.

Resumption of regular horse trials began in the 1920s. Test runs and races at the hippodrome were held as early as the beginning of 1921 and served as the reason for the Main Directorate of Horse Breeding and Horse Breeding to decide to organize scheduled horse trials from the autumn season of 1921. In September, trotting races were resumed in Moscow, and a total of 163 trotters passed the test that year. This figure increased every year. Already in 1929, 1030 trotters passed the test in 101 racing days.

Until 1930, the trotting and racing hippodromes in Moscow were separate and located close to each other, while they belonged to different societies. In connection with the need to expand and reconstruct the Belorussky railway junction, the question of rebuilding or moving the racing hippodrome arose. The project to merge the two hippodromes into one – a combined one – was implemented in 1930.

During the Great Patriotic War, the horses from the hippodrome were evacuated to other cities. The hippodrome served as the location for anti-aircraft gunners who guarded the skies over Moscow from enemy air raids, and infantry units were trained on the tracks. About 100 employees of the Central Moscow Hippodrome volunteered for the front.

In 1949, the hippodrome suffered a major fire. In 1951-1955, the hippodrome building was restored and built in the style of Stalinist architecture.

From 1970 to 1983, trotters set more than 50 new all-Union records and one absolute record at the hippodrome.

Since July 1, 2012, legal betting has resumed at the hippodrome. Profits from the betting at the hippodrome, with the exception of the costs of its operation, are used to support and develop horse breeding.

Currently, the hippodrome is still the largest testing ground for selection and breeding work in horse breeding, combining the functions of two hippodromes: trotting and racing. There are 4 tracks for horses: the first is a racing track (sand surface, length about 1800 meters); the second is a prize track (special surface, length 1600 meters); the third is a working concrete track (covered with special chips, length about 1400 meters); the fourth is a working earth track (earth surface, length about 1200 meters).

In total, there are about 40 stables at the hippodrome, where both trotting and racing departments are located, as well as several equestrian schools and clubs. The buildings are equipped with many paddocks and horse walkers. The territory also has several riding arenas and parade grounds, a hospital and a quarantine department. As for technical equipment, the hippodrome has all the necessary equipment for servicing the territory and tracks: starting boxes, photo finish, starting car, support car.

One of the few hippodromes in the country where tests are held all year round. In any weather and under any circumstances, trotters take to the track every Sunday, and in the summer, from May to September, spectators can watch tests of thoroughbred and Arabian racehorses every weekend. Among the largest annual events: the Monte Carlo Radio Grand Prix, the Trotter Horse Breeding Festival, the Miners’ Cup, international championships, prestigious traditional prize draws, and others. The best representatives of trotter and riding breeds compete for victory in the Grand All-Russian Prizes (Derby) every season. Events are held to mark important dates and holidays: Defender of the Fatherland Day, March 8, Victory Day, and so on.