Yavapai Downs

Yavapai Downs was a one-mile Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse track located in Prescott Valley, Arizona. It stood on a 200-acre site at the base of the Mingus Mountains and projected the image of being an oasis in the desert.

During its operation, Yavapai Downs hosted horse racing from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In the off-season, the facility served as a versatile venue for other events, including horse and dog shows, barrel races, and exhibitions.

The surrounding town of Prescott Valley was one of the fastest-growing towns in the U.S. It was located in Yavapai County in Central Arizona, approximately 85 miles north of Phoenix. The site was situated very near the city of Prescott, the gem of the county, which had hosted horse racing since 1959 at the original Prescott Downs track.

Yavapai Downs ceased regular racing operations in 2010, marking the end of a prominent chapter for the Prescott Valley venue. By 2011, the track was forced to cancel its summer racing season and file for bankruptcy, a decision driven by mounting debt, rising operational costs, and challenging tax assessments.

Following years of dormancy and several unsuccessful attempts to revitalize the property, the facility was eventually acquired by J&J Equine Enterprises LLC and rebranded as "Arizona Downs." While the track saw a brief resurgence when it reopened in 2019, it was quickly beset by ongoing financial instability and complex legal disputes regarding simulcast rights. These persistent obstacles culminated in the Arizona Racing Commission's decision to revoke the facility's live racing permit in 2023, effectively concluding its long, albeit tumultuous, tenure as a destination for horse racing in Central Arizona.

Yavapai Downs Facts

• One mile oval
• Two separate stall areas
• Distance from last turn to finish line: 1,020 feet
• 85,000 square foot three story grandstand & club house
• Barn area accommodates 1,500 horses
• 50,000 square foot Equestrian Center & Fairgrounds
• Grandstands have an area of 85,000 square feet

Yavapai Downs History

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