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Del Mar Horseracing

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club stands as a legendary Southern California landmark where world-class sport meets seaside elegance. Established in 1937 by Hollywood icon Bing Crosby and his celebrity peers, the track has evolved from a star-studded getaway into one of the most premier Thoroughbred racing destinations in the world. Defined by its stunning Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and cooling Pacific breezes, the facility offers an atmosphere unlike any other in the sport. Located just 20 miles north of San Diego and 100 miles south of Los Angeles, the grandstand sits steps away from the Pacific Ocean, famously earning it the timeless moniker, "where the turf meets the surf."

While traditionally celebrated for its prestigious Summer Meet from July through September, Del Mar now delights fans twice a year with the addition of the Bing Crosby Season, an intimate "old Hollywood" style boutique meet held each November. As a perennial leader in national attendance and wagering handle, the track serves as a vital proving ground for champions and a frequent host of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. Its racing calendar is anchored by some of the most significant stakes events in the country, including the million-dollar Pacific Classic, the Bing Crosby Stakes, the Del Mar Oaks, the San Diego Handicap, and the Del Mar Futurity - a critical launchpad for future Kentucky Derby contenders.

Beyond the thrill of the homestretch, Del Mar is a vibrant social destination that perfectly captures the relaxed, upscale coastal lifestyle. The experience extends from the high-fashion spectacle of Opening Day and the exclusive luxury of the Turf Club to the high-energy atmosphere of the infield and seasonal trackside festivals. Whether it is the world-class competition on the dirt and turf courses or the legendary concerts and culinary offerings, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club remains a cornerstone of the American sporting calendar, continuously setting the standard for excellence in modern horse racing.

Del Mar Track Facts

    Main Track
    • Track Shape: Oval
    • Track Length: 1 Mile
    • Homestretch Length: 919 feet
    Turf Course
    • Track Shape: Oval
    • Track Material: 1 Mile
    • Track Length: 919 feet

History and Milestones of Del Mar

1937

Singer Bing Crosby and Hollywood buddies including Pat O'Brien and Jimmy Durante started a racetrack in a sleepy town called Del Mar. The lot was beside the sea and they thought it was a perfect place to hold races.

1938

The famous Seabiscuit-Ligaroti match race was held on August 12, drawing 20,000 to the track. Seabiscuit beat Ligaroti by a nose.

1941

Del Mar Racetrack presents its longest meet to date-32 days-and draws average crowds of just over 7,500 daily.

1942-44

Del Mar Racetrack is closed as the U.S. plunges into World War II.

1945

Some 20,324 fans turned out for the re-opening of the track on August 15 and bet a whopping $958,476, a Del Mar record.

1946

The first Bing Crosby Handicap was held.

1949

Texan rider Bill Shoemaker set a Del Marrecord of 52 wins at the meet and becomes the first apprentice to claim the track's riding title.

1952

Del Mar Racetrack's average daily crowd climbed into the five figure range when the 41-day meet draws 426,691, a daily average of 10,433.

1953

The track presented its richest stakes schedule thus far with 10 events worth $130,000 in added money. Leading rider Bill Shoemaker won half of them.

1954

Bill Shoemaker won 94 races during the meet's 41-day run, a Del Marstandard that may never be topped.

1956

John Longden became the world's winningest rider as he went past Sir Gordon Richards' record during the Del Mar Handicap on September 3 for victory No. 4,871.

1960

Del Mar Racetrack unveiled its brand-new seven-eighths mile turf course.

1970

Bill Shoemaker surpassed John Longden as the winningest rider of all time with a win on board a filly named Dares J on September 7.

1976

Laffit Pincay, Jr. of Panama won six races on opening day of the meet. He will go on to win the first of his five Del Mar Racetrack riding titles.

1985

Del Mar Racetrack completed an underground tunnel into its infield.

1987

Bill Shoemaker and Charlie Whittingham teamed up to win the Del Mar Handicap. The tally is the 93rd and final stakes victory for Bill Shoemaker at Del Mar Racetrack.

1989

Del Mar Racetrack became the leading track in the country for the first time with a daily average handle of $7,320,623.

1990-2000

Del Mar Racetrack wielded the record for the nation's highest daily average attendance for a full decade. The track also routinely topped the category for the nation's largest daily average handle.

2001

Betting levels go even higher as Del Mar Racetrack reaches for greater heights.

2003

Del Mar's status as a Southern California social phenomenon was solidified when Opening Day drew an all-time record of 44,181 fans, the largest single-day attendance in the track's history.

2007

The Synthetic Era: In a commitment to evolving safety standards, the track installed Polytrack, a state-of-the-art synthetic surface, which served as the primary racing strip for seven seasons.

2014

Del Mar returned to a natural dirt surface, much to the delight of traditionalists. This year also saw the launch of the "Bing Crosby Season," a second elite meet in November that brings the glamour of old Hollywood back to the autumn months.

2015

Racing fans flocked to the seaside oval to catch a glimpse of American Pharoah, the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, as he paraded before a sell-out crowd.

2017

For the first time in its history, Del Mar hosted the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The event was a resounding success, setting a then-record on-track handle of over $25 million.

2021

The Breeders' Cup returned for a second stint, shattering records with a total global handle of $182 million. The event proved that Del Mar's intimate setting could handle the world's biggest stages with ease.

2024

Hosting its third Breeders' Cup in less than a decade, Del Mar cemented its place in the permanent rotation of the world's most elite racing venues, standing alongside legendary tracks like Churchill Downs.

Present Day

Today, Del Mar remains the premier summer destination for the sport, leading the nation in safety innovation, wagering handle, and its unique blend of high-stakes competition and seaside relaxation.

Del Mar Track Records (Main Track)

Date Horse Distance Time
July 17, 2016 Chasing Aces 5 Furlongs 0:56.21
September 10, 2022 Speed Boat Beach 5 1/2 Furlongs 1:01.86
August 22, 1973 King of Cricket 6 Furlongs 1:07.60
August 10, 1990 Solar Launch 7 Furlongs 1:20.00
August 1, 1988 Precisionist 1 Mile 1:33.20
August 4, 1962 Windy Sands 1 1/16 Miles 1:40.00
August 24, 2003 Candy Ride (ARG) 1 1/4 Miles 1:59.11

Del Mar Track Records (Turf Course)

Date Horse Distance Time
November 1, 2019 Belvoir Bay (GB) 5 Furlongs 0:54.75
August 20, 2016 Vyjack 1 Mile 1:32.10
July 28, 2018 Fly to Mars 1 1/16 Miles 1:39.52
August 24, 2014 Obviously (IRE) 1 1/8 Miles 1:45.43
November 1, 2025 Ethical Diamond 1 3/8 Miles 2:10.11

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