URGENT UPDATE: Thoroughbred owners in Alabama are intensifying efforts to bring horse racing back to the state after a 30-year hiatus. This Friday, Alabama horse breeders will closely watch the Magic City Classic Stakes, a one-mile race offering an $85,000 purse, but it will take place at the New Orleans Fairgrounds Race Course rather than on home soil.
The Birmingham Race Course, which last hosted a thoroughbred race in 1995, has seen a dramatic decline in racing activities. However, hopes are rising among local breeders and industry advocates. The Alabama Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (AHBPA) is spearheading the call for revival, emphasizing the significant economic benefits that thoroughbred racing could bring to the state.
“We’re hoping to eventually return live thoroughbred racing to Alabama,” stated David Harrington, President of the AHBPA. “We have the infrastructure to do so, and many parts of Alabama’s agricultural industry would benefit. Thoroughbred racing will add thousands of jobs and boost Alabama’s economy.”
The Birmingham Turf Club, once a bustling venue that attracted over 13,000 visitors on its opening day in 1987, was built with a lavish $85 million investment. However, it struggled financially and closed after just 175 days, leading investors to lose around $50 million. Despite its tumultuous history, advocates insist that the existing infrastructure still supports the possibility of horse racing.
Wind Creek, the current owner of the Birmingham Race Course, previously announced plans to transform the venue into a “premier entertainment destination,” but specific proposals for thoroughbred racing have yet to materialize. The AHBPA remains optimistic, pointing to a revitalization of racing in other states like Kansas, Nebraska, and Virginia as models for success.
Kent Gremmels, a key player in organizing the Magic City Classic Stakes, echoed Harrington’s sentiments. “I love promoting Alabama thoroughbreds,” he said. “The one thing that would make it better is being able to bring our horses home and do it in the state where we live.”
As the Alabama horse racing community rallies for change, the situation remains fluid. Advocates are urging state officials to reconsider their stance on returning live racing to the Birmingham Race Course. With a push for economic growth through agriculture and job creation, the future of thoroughbred racing in Alabama could soon be on the horizon.
The AHBPA is actively pursuing discussions with stakeholders to facilitate a revival. As this story develops, all eyes will be on Alabama’s racing landscape to see if the long-awaited return of thoroughbred racing becomes a reality.
