Throughout history, many racecourses around the world were once bustling with excitement, only to later fall into disrepair and abandonment. These venues were once the heart of local communities, drawing crowds of passionate racing fans and gamblers. Today, they lie eerily silent, overtaken by nature or repurposed for other uses. Below, we take a look at five notable abandoned racecourses and the stories behind their demise.
1. Hurst Park, England
Hurst Park was a prominent racecourse located near the River Thames in Surrey, England. Known for hosting both flat and jump racing, Hurst Park opened its gates in 1890 and quickly became a popular venue. It was famous for the Victoria Cup, a prestigious race that drew large crowds. Despite its popularity, the racecourse closed in 1962 due to rising land values, as developers eyed the site for housing. The land was eventually sold, and today, the Hurst Park estate stands where the racecourse once was.
2. Agua Caliente Racetrack, Mexico
Located just across the border from California in Tijuana, Mexico, the Agua Caliente Racetrack was once a glamorous destination for wealthy Americans during Prohibition. Built in 1929, it was known for its lavish facilities and star-studded events, attracting Hollywood celebrities and even royalty. However, its fortunes declined after the legalization of horse racing in California, which drew crowds away. The racetrack was eventually abandoned in the 1990s, and much of the site has been demolished or left in ruins, though some parts of the original structure still stand.
3. Oriental Park, Cuba
Havana’s Oriental Park was one of the most famous racetracks in the Caribbean during the first half of the 20th century. Opened in 1915, it attracted both Cuban and international audiences, including American tourists, who would come to bet on thoroughbreds. The track’s glory days came to an abrupt end following the Cuban Revolution in 1959, when Fidel Castro’s government banned gambling. Oriental Park was abandoned and has since been reclaimed by nature, with no sign of the grandstands or racetrack that once stood proudly on the site.
4. Great Leighs, England
Great Leighs, located in Essex, England, was the first new racecourse to open in Britain in over 80 years when it launched in 2008. It was built with state-of-the-art facilities, but financial troubles plagued the venue almost immediately. After just a few months of operation, Great Leighs went into administration, and racing was suspended. The track remained unused and abandoned for several years before finally being revived under new ownership in 2015, now known as Chelmsford City Racecourse, though its troubled past still lingers.
5. Bowie Race Track, USA
The Bowie Race Track in Maryland, USA, opened in 1914 and was a major player in the Mid-Atlantic horse racing circuit. The track held many prestigious events and was home to many notable horses. However, its location in a less-populated area led to a gradual decline in attendance, and with competition from other nearby racecourses, Bowie finally closed its doors in 1985. Since then, the site has been repurposed, with much of the land now serving as a training facility for horses, but the grandstands and track remain abandoned.
Conclusion
Abandoned racecourses are relics of a once-thriving industry, where the thrill of the race was replaced by silence and decay. These five racecourses, from Cuba to England, each tell their own story of rise and fall, serving as reminders of how fleeting fame and success can be in the world of horse racing. While some have been repurposed or left to nature, they all remain part of the history of the sport.
