Big Fresno Fair opens without horse races. What replaces the 120-year tradition?

There will be no horse racing at this year’s Big Fresno Fair.

The races were put on pause in February, after the California Authority of Racing Fairs announced it would no longer manage live race meets for Fresno and other Northern California fairs. It cited financial challenges and other “obstacles” facing the industry, including animal safety.

Then, the California Horse Racing Board in June rejected a request from the fair to run a week’s worth of racing on its own at the Fresno Fairgrounds.

Which means for the first time in more than 75 years, the Big Fresno Fair is without one of its signature features — one that made $3.2 million and drew more than 50,000 attendees last year. In its place will be a series of other events including arena cross, a monster truck demonstration, a car show and a two-day rodeo.

A fair tradition

It’s hard to picture the fair without horse racing, what with the Brian I. Tatarian Grandstand serving as a center point of the fairgrounds. Built to replace the fair’s original grandstand, the 4,000-seat reinforced concrete structure was erected in 1938 (with its own restaurant attached) and stands as a visual reminder of the importance of the sport, which, save for a few short spans in the early 1900s, has operated at the fair since its debut in 1883.

“Early horse racing pitted horses of farm owners from throughout the Valley against one another,” the fair writes in its history of the sport on its website. “Their proud owners would wager with neighbors and friends at the predominately agricultural show each fall. Modest as it was, it was a huge success, and only five years later, a grandstand was added to the fairgrounds.”

For years, even recently, The Fresno Bee sports pages included daily coverage of the horse races.

There were simple tutorials for beginning betters, but also in-depth predictions and odds for each race.

The Big Fresno Fair Rodeo

To replace horse racing this year, the fair is offering a series of events across its 12-day run.

On opening weekend, it will host The Big Fresno Fair Rodeo. The two-day event (Friday and Saturday) will have bull riding and bronc riding competitions, plus team roping, barrel racing, miniature bucking bulls and (the fan-favorite) mutton bustin’ (in which children adorably ride sheep).

“We’ve spent months preparing — hand-picking contestants, livestock and entertainment to deliver a fun, family-friendly event that sets the bar high,” said rodeo producer Wes Ibrahimi.

“Rodeo is more than a sport; it’s an American tradition.”

Tickets for the rodeo are $7-$15 and not included in fair admission.

Other grandstand entertainment includes:

*Jaripeo Baile, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 5. Includes live performances from Banda Arkangel, Banda Toro, Último Nivel, Los Delanteros de Sinaloa, Banda Los de la Ne and Rangero Realito Rodeo. Tickets are $40 day of event.

*14th Annual Big Band Review, 10 a.m. Oct. 8. Dozens of junior high and high school marching band compete for trophies and $12,000 in cash prizes.

*Arenacross Nationals tour, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 10. Two pro arenacross qualifier races and a pro main event, plus amateur races in various age groups and motorcycle sizes. Tickets are $10, $5 for children.

*Big Fresno Fair Car Show, 11 a.m. Oct. 11. This event coincides with the 10th Annual Beer and Wine Fest. Tickets are $35 for the beer and wine fest and includes fair admission.

*Monsters of Destruction Monster Trucks, 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Check out freestyle trick runs and head-to-head racing from M.O.D. trucks. Tickets are $10, $5 for children.

Satellite wagering still open

While there is no live horse racing at this year, The Starting Gate — the fair’s satellite waging facility — remains open for those looking to wager on tracks across the country. It is on the second floor of the grandstand.

This story was originally published October 1, 2025 at 5:30 AM.