A recent report from the Humboldt County Fair Association (HCFA) revealed that the absence of horse racing in 2025 led to a $1.4 million loss in revenue during the third quarter compared to the same period in 2024 when live horse racing events were held. Attendance at this year’s fair dropped by 25 percent, as reported by the Times Standard. The revenue shortfall primarily stemmed from a $1 million decline in horse racing income, a $187,000 drop in concessions, and a $170,000 reduction in sponsorships.
HCFA has requested live racing dates for 2025 from the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) three times but was denied each time. The main issue discussed by CHRB was the scarcity of horses in Northern California after the closure of Golden Gate Field by the Stronach Group and the shutdown of the training facility at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. Since these closures, horses have been relocated to various places including Southern California, Washington, Arizona, and Wyoming.
Moira Kenny, CEO of HCFA, stated, “Having the 2025 figures now, we understand what a fair without horse racing looks like.” The CHRB is set to review HCFA’s race schedule for 2026 at its January meeting. Meanwhile, fair officials are planning adjustments to the event to adapt to an environment without horse racing. Kenny expressed, “If our 2026 date request is approved, we’ll keep moving forward in that direction, but if not, we will focus on improving 2025 and making 2026 better. I believe this association can evolve from a horse racing-centric fair to a traditional county fair.”
For further details, refer to the Times Standard.
Fan Take: This development is crucial for horse racing fans as it highlights the growing challenges the sport faces in maintaining its traditional venues and audience. The potential shift of the Humboldt County Fair away from horse racing could signal broader changes in the industry’s footprint, urging fans and stakeholders to rally support for preserving live racing events.
