Golden Gate Fields facts for kids
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| Location | Berkeley, California, United States |
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| Owned by | The Stronach Group |
| Date opened | 1941 |
| Date closed | June 9, 2024 |
| Course type | Thoroughbred flat racing |
| Notable races | San Francisco Mile Stakes Golden Gate Derby Berkeley Handicap |
Golden Gate Fields was a famous horse racing track located in Albany, California and Berkeley, California. It sat right on the edge of San Francisco Bay, next to the Eastshore Freeway. After another track called Bay Meadows closed in 2008, Golden Gate Fields became the only major Thoroughbred racetrack in Northern California.
The track was owned by The Stronach Group. It covered about 140 acres of land. The facilities included a one-mile synthetic track and a turf course. There were also stables for over 1,400 horses. The main grandstand could seat about 8,000 people.
On July 16, 2023, The Stronach Group announced that Golden Gate Fields would close. The closing was first planned for the end of 2023. However, it was later delayed until June 2024.
Golden Gate Fields held its very last races on June 9, 2024. This marked the end of 83 years of horse racing at the location. Many people came to say goodbye to the historic track.
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A Look Back at Golden Gate Fields
Golden Gate Fields was built on land near Fleming Point. This area is on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. To the north, it's next to the Albany Bulb and Albany Beach. These are undeveloped areas on a former landfill. Interstate 80 is to the east, and Berkeley Meadow is to the south.
This land was once part of a marshy area. Three creeks, Schoolhouse Creek, Codornices Creek, and Marin Creek, drained into it. The land was originally owned by José Domingo Peralta. He sold it in 1852 to John Fleming. Fleming used it to transport his cattle across the bay to San Francisco.
Later, in the 1800s, the Giant Powder Company was located here. This company made dynamite. The plant had two explosions between 1879 and 1892.
Horse Racing's Return to the Bay
Horse racing in this part of the East Bay started with the Oakland Trotting Track. This track was about two miles south of Golden Gate Fields. It operated from 1871 until 1911. The state banned horse racing at that time, forcing it to close. A fire destroyed its buildings in 1915.
In 1933, the state allowed horse racing again. Just before World War II, Golden Gate Fields built its grandstand. The first races were held on February 1, 1941.
Golden Gate Fields During Wartime
During World War II, the United States Navy took over the property. It became the Naval Landing Force Equipment Depot, Albany. The Navy stored hundreds of landing craft here. These boats were used in the Pacific Ocean during the war. After the war ended, Golden Gate Fields started horse racing again.
Who Owned the Track?
Kjell Qvale, a San Francisco car importer, owned and managed Golden Gate Fields for 25 years. In 1989, a company called Ladbroke Racing bought the track. Later, in 1999, Magna Entertainment Corp. took over. The last owners, The Stronach Group, bought Golden Gate Fields on July 3, 2011.
Making History at the Track
In 2016, Golden Gate Fields made history. They hired Angela Hermann, then 29, as their track announcer. She was the first full-time female race caller in the United States since the 1960s. As of 2020, Matt Dinerman was the race announcer and handicapper.
Exciting Races and Famous Horses
Golden Gate Fields saw many exciting moments in horse racing.
In 1950, two famous horses, Citation and Noor, raced in the Golden Gate Handicap. Noor, an English-bred horse, beat Citation, a Triple Crown winner. Citation's jockey, Steve Brooks, famously said, "We just can't beat that horse."
Legendary Horses Buried Here
In 1957, a horse named Silky Sullivan became very popular at the track. He was known for his exciting finishes. Silky Sullivan was one of the few horses buried in the infield of the track.
Another famous horse, Lost in the Fog, was also buried there. He was a very fast horse who sadly passed away early in 2006 due to illness. A plaque for Lost in the Fog was placed near Silky Sullivan's. A plaque for legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker was also there.
Track Improvements and Records
The infield turf course opened on February 22, 1972. In 1974, the track held its first $2 million day on California Derby Day.
In 1984, the great horse John Henry set a course record. He won the Golden Gate Handicap.
During the summer of 2007, the track installed a new synthetic racing surface. This surface, called Tapeta, was designed to make racing safer for horses and jockeys.
On February 1, 2008, jockey Russell Baze achieved his 10,000th career win at Golden Gate Fields. He won many races at the track during his career.
Shared Belief, a champion 2-year-old colt from 2013, also raced and won several times at Golden Gate Fields.
The End of an Era
With the closing of Bay Meadows in 2008, Golden Gate Fields became Northern California's only major racetrack. It usually had a long winter/spring racing season and a fall season. A summer season was added in 2010 but was later removed.
On July 16, 2023, The Stronach Group announced the track's closure. They stated that they wanted to focus on racing in Southern California. After some discussions, the closing was postponed until June 2024. The final race at Golden Gate Fields was on June 9, 2024. It was won by a horse named Adelie with jockey Assael Espinoza.
Getting to the Track
AC Transit, the local bus service, used to offer a seasonal bus line to the track. This service ran from the North Berkeley BART station until 2008. The track was also easy to reach from the Gilman Street and Albany exits of the Eastshore Freeway. The San Francisco Bay Trail, a path for bikes and walkers, also passed by the track.
Important Races Held Here
Golden Gate Fields hosted several important horse races.
Graded Races
- Berkeley Handicap
- San Francisco Mile Stakes
Other Key Races
- El Camino Real Derby
- California Derby
- All American Stakes
The track also held many other races, including:
- Albany Stakes
- Alcatraz Stakes
- California Oaks
- Campanile Stakes
- China Basin Stakes
- Corte Madera Stakes
- Forty Niner Stakes
- Gold Rush Stakes
- Golden Gate Fields Sprint
- Golden Nugget Stakes
- Golden Poppy
- Half Moon Bay Stakes
- Lost in the Fog Stakes
- Mill Valley Stakes
- Miss America Stakes
- Oakland Stakes
- Pacific Heights Stakes
- Raise Your Skirts
- Sausalito Stakes
- Silky Sullivan Handicap
- Silveyville Stakes
- Stinson Beach Stakes
- Tanforan Stakes
- Tiburon Handicap
- Work the Crowd
Images for kids
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A race on turf in 2017
