New Jersey’s Freehold Raceway is ceasing all live racing and simulcast operations at the end of this year after more than 170 years in operation.

Freehold officials confirmed Thursday that the remainder of the approved live racing schedule for 2024 will be completed, and daily simulcasting will continue until the closure date on 28 December. 

Officials are working proactively with the New Jersey Racing Commission, state and local officials, and industry stakeholders on all necessary items related to the closure of the facility, with employees and affected stakeholders notified by track officials yesterday (19 September).

Severance will be paid to employees, including compensation as required by New Jersey’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining (WARN) Act, and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

“This was an extremely difficult decision, especially given the historical importance of Freehold Raceway to the local community and the New Jersey horse racing industry,” said Freehold general manager Howard Bruno. “Unfortunately, the operations of the racetrack cannot continue under existing conditions, and we do not see a plausible way forward. 

“We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated employees, horsemen and fan base for their support and patronage for so many years.”

Located in central New Jersey in the town of Freehold, Freehold Raceway was established in 1853 and features live standardbred harness racing for trotters and pacers.

It is the oldest racetrack in the United States, as well as the oldest of the three horse racing venues in New Jersey.

Freehold surrendered its New Jersey sports betting licence on 31 July, having launched a Parx-branded in-person sportsbook in 2020, and entering the online sports betting market in early 2021 in partnership with PlayUp, which lost its licence to operate in the state in July 2023 after failing to respond to information requests from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).

Freehold was acquired by a joint venture between Penn National Gaming (now PENN Entertainment) and Greenwood Racing in 1998.