Amid upheaval, Fresno Fair drops horse racing for 2025

Because of the most recent shifts in Northern California horse racing, the Big Fresno Fair board of directors and fair management decided to postpone horse racing in 2025.

Factors cited include but are not limited to the uncertainty regarding the availability of horses, increased financial risk and the lack of a racing-management collective for Northern California fairs.

This decision allows for continued in-depth industry analysis to assess the viability of horse racing at the Big Fresno Fair before making any long-term determinations.

The latest blow to Northern California racing came last month, when the California Authority of Racing Fairs said it would not go forward with its traditional summer and early fall meets.

The announcement came after CARF directors voted unanimously not to apply to the California Horse Racing Board for the usual dates from June to October for Pleasanton, Sacramento, Ferndale and Fresno.

CARF said it would continue to offer simulcast wagering at its 12 locations, with eight in the north and four in the south.