Racing is known to have taken place in the Palermo region of Argentina as early as 1876. The Hipodromo Argentiano de Palermo was built in 1908, with a race of the same name frist being competed for in 1953.

A Grade 1 race run at the course is the Gran Premio Seleccion and its most recent winner was Miss Match who upset the hot favourite Cagnotte, ridden by the British based jockey Frankie Dettori. The Gran Premio is run over 2000 metres of the dirt track.

The Gran Premio Seleccion, the Argentine Oaks, was first run in 1893 when won by Etolie. The 2000 millennium winner was Miss Linda.