Fair Hill is galloping back onto Maryland’s racing calendar. For the first time since 2019, live horse racing will return to the historic turf course nestled in Cecil County’s rolling countryside. The long-anticipated revival is set for August 30, Labor Day weekend, marking the beginning of what organizers hope will become a revitalized tradition with both local charm and international appeal.

In an interview on Off to the Races Radio powered by The Racing Biz, Delegate Kevin Hornberger, a Cecil County Republican and passionate advocate for Fair Hill, detailed the comeback.

“We’re going to be partying like it’s 1934,” when racing returns, Hornberger said, nodding to the venue’s deep roots. Originally established by the DuPont family on nearly 8,000 acres straddling Maryland and Pennsylvania, Fair Hill quickly became known as “America’s Aintree,” a reference to the famed British steeplechase course.

Racing at Fair Hill last took place in 2019. After that, COVID-19 disrupted operations, Maryland’s 5 Star facility was created, and the course underwent a significant renovation. The new turf track now boasts a modern sand base, Kentucky bluegrass, and a state-of-the-art irrigation system — all aimed at meeting evolving safety standards. According to Hornberger, the updates have received glowing feedback from trainers using the one-mile course for morning workouts.

“We have not had one negative review on this new track surface over the last six months, which is unheard of,” he said. “People are in love with this new track.”

This year’s Labor Day event is being billed as a soft opening, with six flat turf races expected, each featuring roughly eight horses, mostly expected to be steeplechase runners. Organizers are still exploring the possibility of including a jumps race.

Parimutuel wagering — enabled by an unusual Maryland law that guarantees up to eight racing days at Fair Hill — will also be part of the day.

Beyond the racing, the event is envisioned as a family-friendly celebration. “It is a true backyard, come-as-you-are, let’s have fun race day,” Hornberger said, adding that it will be free to attend, with local vendors and food creating a festival atmosphere.

The long-term vision, however, stretches well beyond Labor Day. If all goes well this year, a larger event is planned for Memorial Day 2026, complete with steeplechase races and possibly two days of action. Hornberger noted the Memorial Day meet was historically the “largest outdoor event in Cecil County” and could once again serve as a signature date on Maryland’s horse racing calendar.

The return of racing is not just about sport — it also reconnects Fair Hill to its community roots. The races, put on by the Cecil County Breeders Fair, fund 4-H youth programs, and spotlight Fair Hill’s legacy as a center for horsemen and breeders alike.

“Racing is really our history — that’s our legacy,” Hornberger emphasized.

Looking ahead, Hornberger said Fair Hill could play a bigger role in Maryland’s overall racing landscape, particularly as consolidation looms at Pimlico.

“We want to become sort of like the pressure relief valve for these turf courses,” he explained. With eight potential race days authorized by law, Fair Hill could help ease turf scheduling and potentially serve as a host for a future turf or jump series along the East Coast.

As racing returns to this storied course, excitement is building — not just for what Fair Hill was, but for what it might become again. As Hornberger put it, “They got it right in 1934. We just have to get it right again.”

LISTEN TO THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!

The Hornberger interview begins at approximately 28:30.

FAIR HILL FACTS

• WHAT: Races at Fair Hill, the first day of live racing at Fair Hill since 2019
• WHEN: August 30
• WHO: The event is hosted by Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland in partnership with the Cecil County Breeders Fair.
• BETTING: Parimutuel wagering regulated by the Maryland Racing Commission will be available on-site.
• ADMISSION: Free to attend the races