URGENT UPDATE: Thoroughbred owners in Alabama are making a strong push to bring horse racing back to the state after a staggering 30 years without live races. As they gear up to watch the Magic City Classic Stakes this Friday in New Orleans, the call for revival is louder than ever.
The New Orleans Fairgrounds Race Course will host the one-mile race with an impressive $85,000 purse. Meanwhile, the Birmingham Race Course, which last featured a thoroughbred race in 1995, remains dormant, but hope is not lost.
David Harrington, President of the Alabama Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, emphasized the potential benefits of reviving the sport. “We’re hoping to eventually return live thoroughbred racing to Alabama,” he stated. “The infrastructure is still in place, and this could create thousands of jobs while boosting our economy.”
The Birmingham Turf Club, which opened on March 4, 1987, initially attracted over 13,000 visitors but struggled financially, closing after just 175 days. Despite its closure, the legacy of horse racing remains, as Harrington and other thoroughbred owners rally for its return.
Wind Creek, which recently acquired the Birmingham Race Course, plans to transform the venue into a premier entertainment destination while keeping options open for parimutuel betting. The Alabama Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association aims to support the growth of the state’s racing and breeding industries, stating that the return of thoroughbred racing is crucial for economic recovery.
Despite a nationwide decline in horse racing—with more than 40 tracks closing since 2000—Alabama’s breeders see renewed potential. Recent successes in states like Kansas, Nebraska, and Virginia inspire optimism for a revival in Alabama.
In a statement, the Birmingham Race Course acknowledged that discussions about bringing back horse racing have occurred but have not yet materialized. Kent Gremmels, a key figure in promoting the Magic City Classic Stakes, expressed a strong desire for Alabama to host its own races again. “I love promoting Alabama thoroughbreds,” he said. “The one thing that would make it better is being able to bring our horses home.”
As the excitement builds for this weekend’s race, all eyes are on Alabama to see if officials will heed the calls for a revival. The future of thoroughbred racing in the state could hinge on these ongoing discussions, and stakeholders urge the public to support their efforts.
The horse racing community in Alabama is determined to turn this dream into reality. Will the state join the ranks of others that have successfully revived their racing industries? Stay tuned for developments in this urgent and evolving story.
