History
The track opened on Post Road in August 1912 and became a stop for top horses, including Man o' War, Seabiscuit and War Admiral, in races such as the Havre de Grace Handicap.
After the 1950 season, buyers led by Alfred G. Vanderbilt II closed it and moved its racing dates to other Maryland tracks. The National Guard took over the property, using the clubhouse as offices and the roofless grandstand as a warehouse.
Why it matters: It was one of Maryland's major Thoroughbred tracks in the first half of the 20th century.
Timeline
- August 24, 1912
The track opened.
- September 29, 1920Man o' War[1]
Man o' War won the Potomac Handicap.
- 1950
Racing at the track ended.
- January 1951
Alfred G. Vanderbilt II and Morris Schapiro bought the track and closed it; its dates went to other Maryland tracks.
The site today
| Physical status | Standing, repurposed |
|---|---|
| Current use | Maryland National Guard facility; the former clubhouse is offices and the grandstand a warehouse[1,2] |
| Mapped location | City-level location (exact site not confirmed) |
Venue facts
| Other names | Havre de Grace Race Course |
|---|---|
| Location | Post Road, Havre de Grace, Havre de Grace, Maryland[1] |
| Venue type | Racetrack |
| Sports | Horse racing |
| Level | Thoroughbred |
| Opened | August 24, 1912[1,2] |
| Last used for sports | 1950[1,3] |
| Physical status | Standing, repurposed |
| Owner / operator | Harford Agricultural and Breeders Association |
| Closure | Bought in 1951 by owners who closed it and transferred its racing dates to other Maryland tracks. |
Sources
- Havre de Grace Racetrack, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: address, closed, current land use, events, opened
- The lost racecourses of Maryland, ThoroughbredRacing.com. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: current land use, opened
- Havre de Grace, Maryland, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: closed, 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)
- A ThoroughbredRacing.com caption says the track operated until 1952, while Wikipedia gives 1950 and the same article says it was sold in 1951 and closed.
See something wrong or missing? Suggest a correction or submit a source.