Freehold Raceway, America’s Oldest Racetrack, Closes After 170 Years

Freehold Raceway announced in September 2024 that it expected to cease all live racing and simulcast operations by the end of the year. That day finally came on December 28, when employees and affected stakeholders were notified by track officials of its permanent closure.

Freehold Raceway, co-owned by Penn Entertainment, officially opened in 1854 and began holding an annual fair

Freehold Raceway, located in New Jersey and co-owned by Penn Entertainment, struggled financially due to dwindling attendance from horse racing fans and industry leaders.

Horse races have been held at Freehold Raceway since the 1830s. The Monmouth County Agricultural Society was formed in December 1853, and in 1854, they began holding an annual fair at Freehold Raceway with harness racing.

T’S RAIDER II will go down in history as the winner of the final race. John Ahle had the honors for Rachelle Morris & Howard Gluck. Thank you to everyone that came to wish us farewell today. With 170+ years of history, the memories made here will live on for many years to come. pic.twitter.com/uKwxfixoaG

— Freehold Raceway (@RacewayFreehold) December 28, 2024

“This was an extremely difficult decision, especially given the historical importance of Freehold Raceway to the local community and the New Jersey horse racing industry,” said General Manager Howard Bruno.

“Unfortunately, the operations of the racetrack cannot continue under existing conditions, and we do not see a plausible way forward. We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated employees, horsemen and fan base for their support and patronage for so many years.”

T’s Raider II won the final race on December 28th; severance will be paid to employees

In 2005, Freehold was also the temporary home of the Yonkers Trot, part of the Triple Crown of harness racing for trotters, while renovations occurred at Yonkers Raceway.

Freehold’s last racing program was held on December 28, 2024, with over 1,000 spectators in attendance. The final race was won by T’s Raider II, driven by Johnathan Ahle.

The remainder of the approved live racing schedule for 2024 was completed and daily simulcasting continued until that final closure date.

Freehold officials were working proactively with the New Jersey Racing Commission, state and local officials, and industry stakeholders on all necessary items related to the closure of the facility.

Severance will be paid to employees, including compensation as required by New Jersey’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining (WARN) Act, and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.