Site redevelopedHorse racing Partially verified

Benning Race Track

Washington, Washington, D.C. · Racetrack

Benning Race Track was Washington, D.C.'s Thoroughbred track from 1890 until Congress banned racing in the District in 1908. The Mayfair Mansions apartments now stand on the site.

Opened: 1890
Closed: 1908
Today: Site redeveloped
Capacity: —

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History

The Washington Jockey Club opened the 150-acre track east of the Anacostia River on April 1, 1890, and by 1896 it was popular with Washington society. Betting scandals led Congress to ban racing in the District, and the last race day was April 12, 1908.

The track hosted motorcycle and auto racing through the 1910s, and its grandstand burned in 1915. Ground was broken in 1942 for the Mayfair Mansions apartments, which opened in 1946.

Timeline

April 1, 1890
Track opens[1,2]
The Washington Jockey Club's track opened before about 2,000 fans.
1906
Five-win day[1]
Walter Miller won all five races during a Benning meet.
April 12, 1908
Last race day[1,2]
Congress banned horse racing in the District after betting scandals.
1915
Grandstand burns[1]
The grandstand burned.
September 1942
Mayfair Mansions[2,3]
Ground was broken for the Mayfair Mansions apartments on the site.

The site today

Physical status	Site redeveloped
Current use	Mayfair Mansions apartments (3819 Jay St. NE), opened 1946[1,3]
Mapped location	Approximate historic location

Venue facts

Location	Washington, Washington, D.C.
Venue type	Racetrack
Sports	Horse racing
Level	Thoroughbred
Opened	April 1, 1890[1,2]
Last used for sports	April 12, 1908[1,2]
Physical status	Site redeveloped
Owner / operator	Washington Jockey Club
Closure	Congress banned horse racing in the District of Columbia in 1908.

Documented details

Motorcycle and auto racing drew crowds to the track through the 1910s.[1,2]

Sources

Benning Race Track, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19
Supports: closed, current land use, events, opened
Lost Washington: Benning Race Track, Greater Greater Washington. Accessed 2026-10-19
Supports: closed, events, opened
Mayfair Mansions Apartments, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19
Supports: coordinates, current land use

Research confidence

Some facts on this page rely on a single source or are still being corroborated. Treat specific dates and figures with care. Last reviewed 2026-10-19.

See something wrong or missing? Suggest a correction or submit a source.

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