The California Authority of Racing Fairs will not submit future race meet applications, putting the future of live racing in Northern California in jeopardy. This decision means no summer fair meets at The Big Fresno Fair, Cal Expo, and two other fair venues unless individual county fairs seek a license to conduct live racing. Golden State Racing in Pleasanton ended its two-month run with a financial loss, prompting a pair of horse owners to offer a line of credit to help fund operations at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.
The Big Fresno Fair has been hosting horse racing for over 120 years, but the recent decision by CARF has put the future of this tradition in question. The Fair’s CEO, Christina Estrada, expressed the board and management’s commitment to keeping horse racing alive in the Central Valley community. The decision to not apply for racing in 2025 was made on behalf of The Big Fresno Fair, which had doubled its live horse racing to 14 days just a year prior.
The Fair is currently examining the details of CARF’s decision and exploring their options to keep horse racing alive in California. The community will be kept updated on any developments regarding the future of live racing at The Big Fresno Fair. Despite the uncertainty, there is a strong sentiment in the Central Valley community to preserve the tradition of horse racing at the fairgrounds.
