History
Detroit Race Course opened in 1950 near I-96 and Middlebelt Road in Livonia, and the track's tax revenue was one reason Livonia incorporated as a city that year. It ran Thoroughbreds and, under lease, harness racing, with stabling for about 1,200 horses.
Ladbroke bought the business in 1985. With casino gambling arriving in Windsor and Detroit, the track was sold in 1998, ran its last live race that November and was demolished around 1999 so the land could be redeveloped.
Why it matters: It was the leading Thoroughbred track in Michigan for nearly half a century.
Timeline
- 1950
The suburban Detroit track opened in 1950, mainly for Thoroughbred racing.
- 1985Ladbroke purchase[1]
British gambling firm Ladbroke bought the track.
- November 8, 1998Last live race[2]
The final live horse race was run at the course.
- c. 1999
The new owners demolished the facilities to redevelop the land commercially.
The site today
| Physical status | Demolished[1,2] |
|---|---|
| Mapped location | City-level location (exact site not confirmed) |
We have not verified what occupies the site today. Know? Tell us, with a source.
Venue facts
| Other names | DRC |
|---|---|
| Location | Near I-96 and Middlebelt Road, Livonia, Livonia, Michigan[2] |
| Venue type | Racetrack |
| Sports | Horse racing |
| Level | Thoroughbred, Harness |
| Opened | 1950[1,2] |
| Last used for sports | November 8, 1998[1,2] |
| Demolished | c. 1999[1,2] |
| Physical status | Demolished |
| Architect | Kenneth C. Black Associates (clubhouse)[2] |
| Owner / operator | Ladbroke (from 1985); sold to Millennium in 1998 |
| Closure | Sold for commercial redevelopment as casino competition grew in the Detroit area. |
Documented details
- Livonia incorporated as a city in 1950 partly so residents could benefit from the track's tax revenue.[3]
Sources
- Detroit Race Course, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: closed, demolished, events, opened
- Detroit Race Course, Michigan Modern (Michigan SHPO). Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: address, architect, closed, demolished, opened
- Livonia, Michigan, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: coordinates
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.
Where sources disagree (1)
- Wikipedia's Detroit Race Course article says harness racing was discontinued in 1985, while the Livonia article says the track ran only harness racing from 1985.
See something wrong or missing? Suggest a correction or submit a source.