In 1941 Fresno offered its first pari-mutuel horse racing meeting. During the war years, racing at Fresno was interrupted, but returned to stay in 1948. With a century of history behind horse racing at county fairs in the state of California, the fair racing industry continues to look to the future. The fairs have not forgotten their roots of encouraging agricultural and the breeding of horses, presenting the industry to customers of tomorrow, and providing for the maximum expansion of horse racing opportunities on behalf of the State. The stretch run.
Horse racing at California's county and district fairs are rich in tradition and history.
With its roots established long before the turn of the century, horse racing and fairs have been synonymous over the years. Since the legalization of parimutuel wagering in 1933, fair racing has gone through many changes and evolved into what we know it to be today. Our past has been such a long and storied one. Legendary horses, trainers and jockeys have competed on the fair circuit. A few of the stellar performers have included Eclipse Award winner Brown Bess, Big Jess, Damage Control, Hoedown's Day and Norfolk.