A devastating blow has been dealt to the Humboldt County Fair and its beloved horse racing tradition. The California Horse Racing Board's recent decision to reject proposed race dates for 2026 has left the community reeling and raised questions about the future of live horse racing in the region.
In a 4-2 vote, the board dashed hopes of restoring racing to Humboldt County this year, effectively ending what many saw as a promising opportunity. The meeting, held on February 26 in Arcadia, highlighted regulatory, financial, and operational concerns that ultimately led to the rejection of Humboldt's request for 12 race dates from August 5 to September 1.
But here's where it gets controversial: the central issue revolves around wagering revenue and its impact on Southern California tracks. According to industry sources, the Thoroughbred Owners of California and trainers' associations opposed awarding race dates to Northern California, fearing a loss of revenue.
And this is the part most people miss: the heart of the matter is advance deposit wagering (ADW) and computer-assisted wagering (CAW). If Northern California tracks were operational, wagers placed in the region would stay there, instead of being redirected to Southern California as they have been since the closure of Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley.
The nearly three-hour meeting focused on the delicate financial balance of racing in California. CHRB Chairman Greg Ferraro emphasized the potential threat to Southern California tracks if wagering revenue were diverted back to the north.
"We're at a critical juncture," Ferraro said. "Diverting funds to the north could jeopardize the entire racing industry in California."
The impact of this decision is far-reaching. Johanna Rodoni, a director at the Humboldt County Fair, expressed her disappointment, stating, "We went above and beyond to meet their demands, but it wasn't enough. This will have a significant economic impact on the entire county."
For generations, horse racing has been an integral part of the Ferndale fair, and with this vote, the 2026 season will proceed without live racing in Humboldt County. The future of this beloved tradition remains uncertain, leaving many to wonder if and when racing will return to the region.
What are your thoughts on this decision? Do you think the board made the right call, or should they have considered the economic impact on Humboldt County? We'd love to hear your opinions in the comments below!
