Elkton, Md. — Horse racing returns to the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Cecil County on August 30, 2025, with the Races at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory, marking the first event on the venue’s turf track since 2019. Hosted by the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland and the Cecil County Breeders Fair, the free-admission day features six flat races, $150,000 in purses and pari-mutuel betting. The event, sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association and governed by the Maryland Racing Commission, opens parking lots and the main entrance at 11 a.m., with the first race at 1 p.m.
Admission to the Races at Fair Hill is free due to support from more than 50 sponsors, including presenting sponsor Brown Advisory. Key hosts include Cecil County, Fair Hill Foundation, Maryland Sports Commission, Select Event Group and the Valentine Family. Winner’s Circle sponsors are Atlantic Tractor, Cecil Bank, Launch Zone at Patriots Glen Golf Club, Penn-Delmar Power, Ruppert Landscaping, SERVPRO of Cecil County, Sports Medicine Associates of Chester County, The Wellwood and W.L. Gore. Beneficiaries include the Fair Hill Nature Center and the Cecil County 4-H All Stars.
The Races at Fair Hill will offer food and beverage options from vendors such as The Wellwood, Elk River Brewing Company, Bohemia Manor Farm and local food trucks. Commemorative merchandise will be available for purchase, subject to availability. Seating is first-come, first-served, with guests encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for grassy lawn areas that provide a family-friendly atmosphere. Limited seating exists in the grandstand, and tailgating is not permitted, though rail-side viewing is available around the one-mile turf track.
This year’s Races at Fair Hill focus on flat racing as a step to reintroduce events to the venue in a short timeframe. The turf track, part of the Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, underwent modernization, including a sand-based Kentucky bluegrass surface with advanced irrigation — the first of its kind in Maryland. Testing phases involved galloping, breezing and evaluations based on turf response, weather and input from riders and trainers.
“The return of racing at Fair Hill marks an exciting new chapter for this historic venue,” said Jeff Newman, Senior Vice President of Events for the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland. “With the completion of the state-of-the-art turf track and the incredible efforts of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, we’re able to deliver an event that honors Fair Hill’s rich equestrian tradition while driving economic benefits for Cecil County and beyond. The reception has been tremendous as none of this would be possible without the support of Cecil County, the state of Maryland, our sponsors, partners/donors, and the local community.”
Racing paused at Fair Hill after 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by construction and turf maturation. The Races at Fair Hill align with state efforts to promote equine heritage and rural economies, as the venue accommodates flat racing, steeplechase, eventing and more.
Fair Hill’s equestrian history dates to the 1920s, when William du Pont Jr. developed the property, modeling the turf course after Aintree Racecourse in England. Construction began in 1926 with grass planting for steeplechase and turf courses, opening in the 1930s. Du Pont established the Cecil County Fair and Fair Hill steeplechase races in the 1930s, which continued for decades. The Foxcatcher National Cup debuted in 1934 with obstacles ranging from four feet eight inches to six feet four inches. Once a du Pont family estate, Fair Hill evolved into a state-managed area hosting events like the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, a CCI5*-L competition.
The Races at Fair Hill contribute to Maryland’s horse industry, which generates more than $2.9 billion in economic impact, with $982 million spent by participants. The competition sector alone adds $270 million annually and supports jobs statewide. Recent events at Fair Hill, such as the 2023 MARS Maryland 5 Star, produced $4.1 million in labor income for the state and $3.7 million in government revenue. Cecil County benefits from this equestrian focus, positioning it as a leader in the field.
“Horse racing is coming back to Fair Hill,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said. “The reopening of the turf track is just one part of DNR’s goal to promote Maryland’s equine heritage and support rural economies. It will be great for the community and it will help bring more world-class events to Fair Hill.”
“The historic investments we’re making to ensure the future of horse racing in Maryland are also promoting work, wages, and wealth in communities across the state,” said Governor Wes Moore. “At Fair Hill, we’ve completed track and venue upgrades to usher in a new era of turf track horse racing in Cecil County.”
The Races at Fair Hill build on this legacy, with upgrades including wider, banked turns, consistent width, protected crossings and livestream capacity. Contractors like Ruppert Landscaping, Hummer Turfgrass Systems and Boekholder & Associates collaborated on the project.
For Maryland residents, including those in nearby areas, the Races at Fair Hill offer accessible recreation tied to the state’s 250-year equine history, from the Maryland Jockey Club’s founding as the oldest sporting organization in North America. The event encourages community involvement, with details available at www.racesatfairhill.com.
Future plans include potential expansion of racing days, schooling opportunities and boutique meets, enhancing Fair Hill’s role in equestrian sports. A five-year contract valued at $2,850,000 supports ongoing events, with $100,000 from Cecil County’s fiscal year 2025 budget.
