The Cecil Whig reported today that the Maryland Racing Commission “has approved two 2025 race dates at Fair Hill after the Cecil County Breeders’ Fair Inc. submitted a formal letter of request.” The publication reports that “after a five year hiatus, one of the only steeplechase events in the country with parimutuel betting is set to return for Labor Day and Memorial weekend of this coming year.”
“Since 1939, the races have attracted thousands of local spectators and we plan to restore this premier outdoor event, the jewel of Cecil County,” Cecil County Breeders Fair Inc. member Kevin Hornberger said.
The article goes on:
“In 1939, William du Pont Jr. started racing at Fair Hill and, in order to allow for parimutuel betting and race dates to be used, he agreed to hold a breeders fair where livestock and horses are judged based on their quality of breeding and upbringing. That decision holds true to this day.
‘Voting to leverage the new state-owned track benefits not only our local economy but ensures continued success of the County Fair,’ Hornberger said.
The Cecil County Breeders Fair Inc is working with a local trainer from Fair Hill’s training facility and a track specialist to get the track certified so that horsemen are assured the track is safe for their horses to race on. One focal area that will be addressed is between the grandstands and the show jumping arena used during the Maryland 5-Star.
‘The last time it was held, it was the largest single day outdoor event in Cecil County, and we’d like to restore that. It was an enjoyable time for local families, and while we appreciate the 5-Star and their participation here, this is an event that’s more geared and focused on local attendance,’ Cecil County Breeders Fair President Bill Coutz said.
Since utilizing the race dates are contingent on the readiness of the track, they plan to work through the end of this year to ensure the track is certified so when the time comes in the spring it is ready for racing.
‘Time is of the essence,’ Coutz said.”