Idaho Could Play a Larger Role in the Horse Racing Industry
The horse racing scene on the West Coast seems to be changing. Reports from the California Jockey Club indicate that the number of racing days in California has significantly dropped over the years, from 755 days in 2004 to just 375 last year.
This year, the California State Fair is ending a 170-year-old racing tradition, and both the Fresno Fair and Alameda County Fair are stopping live racing as well. Golden Gate Fields closed in 2023, and Hollywood Park shut down in 2013, ending 75 years of racing at that well-known venue. Unfortunately, the overwhelming regulatory red tape has led to the closures. In fact, our team at AGPROfessionals collaborated with several venues to update their permits, aiming to help save horse racing in California.
A Loss for California Horse Racing Could Mean a Gain for Idaho
There are now only three major venues left in California: Santa Anita Park, Del Mar Racetrack, and Los Alamitos. Horse racing in California contributed $11.6 billion to the state’s economy, involving roughly 82,000 horses. These horses and the business they generate will not disappear; they will simply relocate elsewhere. While this is disappointing for California racehorse enthusiasts, it presents an opportunity for Idaho.
Idaho boasts a thriving equine industry, available land, and a supportive agricultural community. In 2023–2024, 16 race days were held across five Idaho locations, but the state’s interest is clear. Notably, World Chariot Racing, based in Rigby, has become a prominent event, regularly drawing crowds in eastern Idaho. According to a 2020 Boise State University study, Idaho is home to approximately 156,000 horses, with an estimated collective value of $680 million. However, only about 4% of these horses are involved in racing. This means the equestrian industry in the state could benefit from expanded racing infrastructure. Meanwhile, Idaho Code 54-25 contains 17 pages of laws that already regulate racing activities, establishing a legal foundation ready for growth.
We Can Help
Idaho’s equine economy and cooperative regulatory environment are ready to expand, and the door is open for entrepreneurs, trainers, breeders, and investors to put Idaho on the national racing map. The potential is real, but success will depend on the right strategy, execution, and partnerships.
Establishing a successful horse racing operation, from breeding and training facilities to designing and engineering racetracks and spectator venues, requires a comprehensive, professional approach. Our team at AGPROfessionals has decades of experience in agricultural infrastructure, land development, and industry advocacy, with multi-state experience working with racetracks.
We offer the insight and services needed to bring Idaho’s racing future to life. Our services include:
- Facility Engineering and Design: Our engineering and design team can tailor a facility that fits both function and form.
- Land Use, Planning, and Permitting: Our team of consultants and engineers is experienced in navigating zoning, site planning, and strategic land development to find the perfect location for our clients' projects. Our services include providing county and city ordinance expertise and walking projects from inception all the way through the permitting process.
- Lobbying & Economic Development: Our experts advocate for your project at the state and local levels to unlock incentives and community support.
- Surveying and Site Engineering: Precision surveying and site engineering including facility layout and stormwater management plans lay the groundwork for high-performance race facilities and keeps your operation in compliance with environmental requirements.
- Construction Management: From concept to ribbon-cutting, we work with construction contractors to coordinate every detail from an engineering perspective ensuring your project stays on budget and on time
Contact our Idaho Office in Twin Falls, to discuss how we can help you build the next great chapter in American horse racing.