Humboldt County Fair Seeks Return of Live Horse Racing After $300K Shortfall

The Humboldt County Fair Association reports a loss of more than $300,000 after live horse racing did not return to the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale for the 2025 fair, and association leaders are pressing the California Horse Racing Board and local officials to restore the race meet for future seasons. HCFA Chief Executive Officer Moira Kenny and board president Andy Titus have made public appeals and called for residents to contact state and federal elected officials.

Kenny emphasized the fair’s cultural and economic stakes in an April 23, 2025 press release and follow-up interviews, saying, “We want our community to know how much this tradition means to us. Horse racing isn't just a sport. It's a reflection of our local heritage and it's part of who we are in Humboldt County. Preserving the legacy for future generations is a priority. And more than ever, we need our community to rally behind us to show their support for Humboldt.” The fair’s Horse Racing Committee has asked supporters to write to county supervisors and the California Racing Board.

HCFA had planned to resubmit a date allocation request to the California Horse Racing Board at its May 15 meeting and to complete a full application, but Times-Standard reporting says the CHRB denied a last-ditch effort in June that officially halted a 2025 race meet. The 2025 Humboldt County Fair operated as a seven-day event rather than its historical 10-day length, and the fair recorded a 25 percent decrease in admissions from prior years, according to the Times-Standard.

Andy Titus, HCFA board president, warned about tight finances and the lost revenue the meet historically produced: “Things are very tight,” he said, and noted, “The fair in the past has always been a 10-day deal. And when you have horse racing, you bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars in that time period.” KRCR reported that HCFA was left responsible for licensing and staffing costs associated with a two-weekend racing event in 2025 and that the association could not afford those expenses, a factor HCFA cites in its more-than-$300,000 shortfall claim.

Local officials have expressed support for the fair board’s preparedness; Humboldt County Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell said, “The Humboldt County Fair Board absolutely demonstrated that they had the means, they had the horses, they had the jockeys. They had the equipment.” HCFA leaders say they are developing budgets and contingency plans tied to what the CHRB decides about dates for 2026, and Kenny told the Times-Standard the association will proceed down the approved path if granted date allocation for 2026 or work to improve future fairs if not.

The HCFA and its Horse Racing Committee urged immediate public advocacy and provided contact details for elected officials. Senator Mike McGuire: senator.mcguire@senate.ca.gov; Sacramento address: 1021 O St., Suite 8518, Sacramento, CA 95814; Sacramento phone: (916) 651-4002; Eureka address: 1036 5th St., Suite D, Eureka, CA 95501; Eureka phone: (707) 445-6508. Governor Gavin Newsom: gavin.newsom@gov.ca.gov; Sacramento address: 1303 10th Street, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814; Sacramento phone: (916) 445-2841. Representative Jared Huffman: Office address: 317 Third Street Suite 1, Eureka, CA 95501; Phone: (707) 407-3585. Humboldt County District 1 Supervisor Rex Bohn: Email: rbohn@co.humboldt.ca.us; Office address: 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501; Phone: (707) 476-2391.

Horse racing at the Humboldt County Fair traces to Hydesville origins more than a century ago, and HCFA statements mark a continuous local tradition of 128 years excluding World War II. The association and regional leaders say multiple California county fairs have already discontinued racing, and HCFA officials note that statewide and local advocacy could affect the survival of Ferndale’s race meet. HCFA had expected the California Horse Racing Board to consider Ferndale’s dates on Jan. 15, 2026; association leaders say they will move forward based on whatever dates the CHRB ultimately grants and continue to press for restoration of live racing.