Fair Grounds Racing Season in Jeopardy as Owner Considers Leaving Louisiana
The future of the horse racing season at New Orleans’ historic Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is now uncertain. The company that owns the facility, Churchill Downs Inc., has announced plans to relinquish its Louisiana racing and gaming licenses. This decision comes after a failed bid to convince state lawmakers to provide financial support to offset declining slot machine revenue.
Churchill Downs had been lobbying the Louisiana Legislature for a subsidy or funding package to compensate for a recent regulatory decision that affected revenue generated from slot machines—one of the main income sources for maintaining the race track. When legislators did not approve the proposed subsidy, the company responded with the dramatic move of signaling its intent to withdraw from the state’s racing industry.
This potential exit has sent shockwaves through Louisiana’s horse racing community. If Churchill Downs follows through on pulling out, the impact would be substantial—not only for the Fair Grounds itself, but for the wider industry that depends on the track, including trainers, jockeys, breeders, and local businesses.
However, industry insiders see a glimmer of hope. Should Churchill Downs vacate its licenses, there are reportedly two interested local buyers who could potentially step in to keep the racing season alive. While their identities haven’t been publicly confirmed, both are believed to have experience in the gaming or racing sectors and may be capable of running the facility.
Still, the uncertainty surrounding the ownership and future operations of the Fair Grounds has cast a shadow over the upcoming racing season. The track, which is one of the oldest continuously operating race courses in the country, has been a fixture in New Orleans for decades and plays a vital role in the local economy and cultural scene.
As the situation develops, stakeholders across the state—racing professionals, legislators, and fans alike—are watching closely. The coming weeks may determine whether the Fair Grounds will continue hosting races under new ownership or if a long-standing chapter in Louisiana’s horse racing history will come to an abrupt close.
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