SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. – The Sonoma County Fair Board announced the cancellation of live horse racing for this year’s fair, signaling a significant blow to the horse racing industry in Northern California. This decision marks the first time in decades that racing will not be a part of the fair’s annual festivities, which have included horse races since 1936.
The board explained that the cancellation was driven by a sharp decline in the availability of racehorses, with many owners relocating to Southern California or out of state following the closure of Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley. The shutdown of stabling and racing operations at the Alameda County Fairgrounds has also contributed to the downturn in the region’s racing industry.
Matthew Daly, CEO of the Sonoma County Fair, acknowledged the long history of horse racing at the fair but emphasized the shift in focus. “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.”
Despite the historic nature of the decision, the fair board left open the possibility of horse racing returning in the future, but only if the industry sees a resurgence that would make it feasible once again. However, given the ongoing struggles facing the sport, including declining wagering revenues and increasing scrutiny over safety, that return may be distant.
This cancellation follows a broader trend in Northern California, where other fairs have also dropped horse racing events for 2025. In January, the California Authority of Racing Fairs voted not to apply for licenses for the Northern circuit of racing, effectively canceling this summer’s races at various fairs. This move was met with approval from animal rights groups like Animal Defenders International, which has been vocal in its opposition to horse racing on ethical grounds.
“This marks a significant step in the right direction for horses everywhere,” the organization wrote on its Facebook page following the vote.
The issue of horse racing safety has been a prominent concern in recent years, especially following the deaths of several racehorses in California. In 2024 alone, the California Horse Racing Board reported 108 racehorse fatalities, including 12 attributed to a viral equine disease at a barn in Los Alamitos. While no horses died at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in 2024, two fatalities were recorded in August 2023, one of which occurred on the opening day of the fair when a 3-year-old filly named Danehill Song suffered a fatal musculoskeletal injury.
As the sport faces mounting challenges, the fair board’s decision signals a shift away from traditional racing and toward expanding the fair’s focus on other areas, such as agriculture, educational exhibits, and entertainment options. For now, the cancellation of horse racing represents another chapter in the ongoing evolution of the industry in California, where both financial pressures and ethical considerations continue to reshape its future.