Napa, CA – The Sonoma County Fair Board has announced the cancellation of live horse racing at this year’s fair, which is scheduled to take place from August 1-10 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. This marks a significant shift for the annual event, as horse racing has been a staple of the fair since 1936.
The decision, which was made after extensive discussions, comes in the wake of declining horse racing activity across Northern California. Factors such as the closure of Golden Gate Fields and the elimination of stabling at the Alameda County Fairgrounds have contributed to a shrinking horse population in the region. As a result, many trainers, horse owners, and support staff have relocated to Southern California or out-of-state facilities in search of better opportunities.
Matthew Daly, CEO of the Sonoma County Fair, expressed his gratitude for the decades-long tradition of horse racing at the fair. “Live horse racing has been a valued part of the Sonoma County Fair since 1936, and the Sonoma County Fair Board is extremely thankful to all the individuals in the industry who have made racing at the Fair part of its storied history,” Daly said. “Although the proud heritage of horse racing has been lost for 2025, the focus of the Fair’s agriculture, education, exhibits, and entertainment will be enhanced because of this change.”
The cancellation of horse racing is part of a broader trend that has seen other Northern California race tracks and events face similar challenges. With the closure of major tracks and the diminishing number of horses, the economic viability of horse racing in the region has become increasingly uncertain.
Despite this setback, the Sonoma County Fair Board has not ruled out the possibility of bringing horse racing back to the fair in the future. The board indicated that the return of live racing will be considered if the industry sees a revitalization and if it becomes financially and operationally feasible to do so.
For now, the focus of this year’s fair will shift to its agricultural, educational, and entertainment offerings. The Sonoma County Fair promises to keep the public informed of any updates regarding future events.
As the fairgrounds prepare for a different kind of celebration this summer, many in the horse racing community will be watching closely to see if the industry can rebound and whether racing will return to its historic roots in Sonoma County in the years to come.