Del Mar Horse Racing History

Del Mar Horse Racing History


Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, which opened in 1937, is filled with history. Browse the decades below to learn about how we've grown through the years!

1937
Bing Crosby is there to greet the first fan through the gate as Del Mar opens.


1938
The famous Seabiscuit-Ligaroti match race is held on August 12 and it draws 20,000 to the track and a nationwide radio audience. After a furious duel, Seabiscuit under George (The Iceman) Woolf and 130 pounds beats Ligaroti and Noel (Spec) Richardson at 115 by a nose.


1939
Roaming the Del Mar backstretch this year as neophyte trainers and grooms are Charlie Whittingham, Noble Threewitt, Dale Landers and Leonard Dorfman.