“It’s Unfortunate”: Equestrian Community Expresses Dismay as 82 Years Old Historical Racetrack Inches Its Way to Oblivion

This year in July the equestrian world got news that left many in dismay. The North California’s famed racetrack the Golden Gates Fields will be closed after this year’s scheduled race. This brings the curtain to 82 years of racing history. It is an end of an era of horse racing in the area after another racetrack at Bay Meadows ceased racing back in 2008.

Over the past 82 years, the area was the racing hub with a strong base of owners and stables around the area. The closure has left many stables in uncertainty with many waiting for the next year’s schedule to finalize. There are also reservations about whether the other track will be able to attract them towards it. The equestrian community has expressed its thoughts on the issue.

Equestrian community concerned about famed tracks closure

The Golden Gates Field has attracted horses from stables from all over the country, for the Southern California-based stables were an open option. It was the best place for those who wanted easier maiden races, allowance races, or lower-level stakes.

Michael McCarthy is a  multigrade stakes winner trainer was a regular figure at the track and has won $75,000 California Oaks, five races for maidens, an allowance race, and a $12,500 claimer here.

Reflecting on the track he said, “It was a nice outlet to send a horse up there to get a maiden broke or get a little blacktype with a horse that may be a cut below what it takes to win down here“.

With the success of the track over the years, the area got crowded with horse owners and equestrian enthusiasts who settled around the area to enjoy the race whenever they can. Now, they have to travel at least 25 miles to watch the race at the nearest trach the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton.

Speaking on the situation McCarthy said, “It’s unfortunate and I feel bad for everyone that has been up there and has roots there“. What worries the most is that with racing avenue near the area, the owners may lose interest and sell their horses and will not again in the horses.  The golden gates field closure will affect the local racing enthusiasm that lit the area for decades.

History of Golden Gates Fields

Golden Gates Fields was opened in 1941. It has an area of 225 acres with a seating capacity of 14,750. The track was in oval shape and is called Dirt Course. The field also has Lakeside Infield Turf Course which is the main attraction point. With the passage of time, the course was upgraded technologically and has 300 cameras monitoring each millisecond of the race.

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The field has witnessed over the years strong competition with famous horses from all over the country participating in it. Among the famed horses that competed at Golden Gate Fields were Citation, John Henry, Shared Belief, and Silky Sullivan. Silky Sullivan known as coming from behind specialist is buried in the track’s infield.

The Closure of Golden Gates has obviously saddened the equestrian enthusiast and mostly the locals and owners who had settled to enjoy the race nearby. Time will tell whether the new venues will be able to attract these enthusiasts towards it or not.

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