ARCARDIA, Calif. — The California Horse Racing Board rejected requests from Tehama County and Humboldt County to include thoroughbred horse racing at their annual fairs for 2026.
If approved, this would have been the first time horse racing was held in Northern California since Golden State Racing abruptly ended its attempted season in 2024. It would have been the first time in 40 years that horse racing returned to Tehama County.
The Tehama and Humboldt county fairgrounds applied together in early January 2026. Stating in documents, they hoped to begin reforming a race series among Northern California fairgrounds during the spring and summer months. They submitted plans for races to begin in Tehama County on April 29 and run through the district fair.
Tehama District Fairgrounds leadership promised major facility upgrades and changes with the request for thoroughbred horse racing, including the addition of new stables, and improved ground quality. Photo taken May 2nd, 2024. (KRCR)
At a meeting held Thursday morning in Aradia, Tehama and Humboldt fairground representatives made a final case to the board after critical inspections found both sites lacking major needed upgrades. Citing a continually shrinking Northern California community for horse racing and breeding, Mandy Staley, CEO of the Tehama Fairgrounds, said they are ready to bring it back to the region.
“Our team has worked incredibly hard to prepare everything for you,” she said in the meeting. “We have overcome multiple roadblocks, which have only highlighted our determination, tenacity, and passion for pursuing this.”
However, there were strong disagreements with the Tehama District Fairgrounds’ assessment of its preparation for hosting said races. While Staley insisted it would cost about $55,000 and several weeks to make the upgrades necessary to host the races, CHRB staff estimated costs of up to $1,000,000 and months of work.
“As much as I’d like to see them do well, they have no chance of success,” said Gregory Ferraro, the chairman of the CHRB, who made the motion to reject the request. “There’s just no market for them up there, so you’re gonna end up destroying all of racing in California, to bet on a no-chance situation in the North.”
In a 5-2 vote, board members rejected the request for both counties, ending any possibility of thoroughbred racing returning to Northern California in 2026. Several board members stated that next year, chances for approval may be more likely, but admitted the horse racing industry in Southern California needed to be stabilized first before several board members would be comfortable offering their support to reopening Northern California circuits.
The Northstate News reached out to the Tehama and Humboldt District Fairgrounds for next steps following Thursday’s decision, but has not yet received a response.
—
Comment with Bubbles
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (3)