Freehold Raceway (“Freehold”) announced Thursday that it expects to cease all live racing and simulcast operations as of Dec. 28, 2024. Employees and affected stakeholders were notified by track officials earlier Thursday.

Freehold Raceway, the oldest horse racing track in the United States, is shutting down at the end of the year.

Freehold Raceway General Manager Howard Bruno said it was an extremely difficult decision considering the track's history dating back to the 1830s.

Freehold Raceway, the oldest racetrack in the U.S., will close after two centuries of competitions and Monmouth County history, officials said. Freehold Raceway will hold its final live races and simulcast operations on Saturday,

December 1853 - Monmouth County Agriculture Society was formed to hold an annual fair with harness racing in the Township of Freehold. Annual membership fee would be $1 and a one-time payment of $10 would permit a person to be a life member. It has been researched that racing was held at the same site as early as the 1830s.