Santa Rosa, Calif. — The Sonoma County Fair Board has announced the cancellation of live horse racing for the 2025 fair, marking the end—at least for now—of a nearly 90-year-old tradition in the region.
In a statement released Tuesday, fair officials cited a shrinking pool of available racehorses in Northern California following the 2023 closure of Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley and the cessation of stabling and racing at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Many racehorse owners have since relocated to Southern California or out of state, leaving Northern tracks without the critical mass needed to sustain live events.
“Live horse racing has been a valued part of the Sonoma County Fair since 1936,” said Fair CEO Matthew Daly. “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 decision comes amid a broader downturn in California’s horse racing industry, which has struggled with declining wagering revenues, increased scrutiny over animal welfare, and consolidation of racing venues. Earlier this year, the California Authority of Racing Fairs voted not to apply for live racing licenses at several Northern California fairs, effectively shutting down the region’s seasonal racing circuit.
Animal rights organizations have welcomed the decision. In a post on social media, Animal Defenders International called the move “a significant step in the right direction for horses everywhere,” applauding the halt of what they characterize as an inherently dangerous sport.
According to data from the California Horse Racing Board, 108 racehorse deaths were reported statewide in 2024, including 12 attributed to a viral equine disease at Los Alamitos. While there were no fatalities at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in 2024, two horses died during the 2023 meet, including one on opening day.
Though Daly emphasized the board’s gratitude to the horse racing community, he noted that racing will only return to the fair if the industry experiences a meaningful resurgence.
In the meantime, the fair will continue without one of its oldest fixtures, adapting to reflect shifting public sentiment and economic realities.