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It took all of two days for the other shoe to drop for the horse industry at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.
In the wake of the announcement that it would not pursue live horse racing during any fairs in 2025, the California Authority of Racing Fairs confirmed on Jan. 30 it would end all Golden State Racing stabling and training operations at the historic fairgrounds in Pleasanton when the current contract expires next month.
The news marks “the end of an era” for the fairgrounds and its nearly 500 stables that will also close on March 25, according to Alameda County Fair officials.
“It’s a sad and difficult decision to end racing, stables and training,” Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association CEO Jerome Hoban said in a statement on Friday afternoon. “The Alameda County Fair did everything in our power to promote and preserve horse racing at the Fairgrounds, but economic and licensing issues made it impossible.”
An Alameda County Fair spokesperson also confirmed to the Weekly’s Tri-Valley Foodist Deborah Grossman on Monday that the Stable Cafe is set to close once the horse operations cease. The familiar diner within the fairgrounds reopened under new management last fall after a nearly year-long closure when the prior owner retired in September 2023 after 32 years of serving breakfasts and lunches.
CARF leaders sent a jolt through the Northern California racing industry on Jan. 28 by announcing it would not apply for any horse racing events during 2025, including its county fair meets, citing “financial challenges” of its inaugural GSR fall meet in Pleasanton and “current obstacles” in the industry in this part of the state. Despite GSR canceling its planned winter races, many still expected the fair circuit to go off this summer.
After the initial shock, the conversation in Pleasanton quickly turned to the future of the stabling and training operations at the fairgrounds. Sacramento-based CARF soon revealed those too would close for good on March 25 when its current vanning and stabling contract ends.
“This decision, while necessary, is made with great care and concern for all those impacted, including the horsemen, employees and industry stakeholders who have dedicated their time and passion to California horse racing,” officials with the authority said. “CARF recognizes the significance of this transition for those directly affected and remain committed to assisting in this transition.”
Lamenting “financial and regulatory challenges” at play, Alameda County Fair officials acknowledged the decision was “difficult” for the CARF Board of Directors, including Hoban as chair, “who understand the historical and cultural significance of fairgrounds racing in California.”
The authority’s role was vital in operating the horse racing circuit at the fair venues like the Pleasanton, preparing license applications, providing administrative and technical support, and negotiating contracts between the fairs and simulcast organizations for satellite wagering, according to Alameda County Fair officials.
In light of not pursuing its own live racing, CARF is now undergoing a “strategic reorganization to focus on supporting California fairgrounds and their satellite wagering operations” – and it is doing so without Larry Swartzlander, who was stepping down as executive director effective Tuesday. Day-to-day operations of the authority will be overseen by its Executive Committee going forward.
“While the conclusion of CARF-sponsored Northern CA live racing operations presents challenges, CARF remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for its member fairgrounds, and support the California Horse Racing Industry. We appreciate the support and collaboration of industry partners as we navigate this transition together,” CARF reps said.
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