Hawthorne Sale to Non-Racing Buyer Deepens Uncertainty for Illinois Racing
The future of one of Illinois’ most storied racetracks took another dramatic turn this week after the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (ITHA) informed its members that Hawthorne Race Course has been sold to a non-racing buyer, though the transaction still awaits final approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
In a text message distributed to horsemen on Tuesday, the ITHA announced:
“Attention horsemen: Hawthorne Race Course has been sold to a non-racing entity. At this time, all training and racing will continue as scheduled until further notice. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.”
For horsemen, trainers and owners who have spent months navigating Hawthorne’s financial struggles, the message delivered another layer of uncertainty. Despite the sale, racing operations have not been interrupted. Training continues, and officials intend to move forward with the scheduled race card on July 19, with entries drawn as planned on July 15.
The sale comes at the conclusion of a closely watched bankruptcy auction process. A previously announced stalking horse bid established the minimum purchase price, while U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Timothy Barnes had extended the bidding deadline until July 10 and scheduled an auction for July 14 should competing offers emerge.
According to ITHA Executive Director David McCaffrey, no additional qualified bids materialized.
McCaffrey said he arrived expecting an auction only to learn that the original stalking horse proposal stood alone, effectively making it the winning offer pending court approval.
While the identity and long-term intentions of the buyer have not been publicly detailed, the designation as a non-racing entity has naturally fueled concern throughout the Illinois racing community. Hawthorne has served as the state’s lone major venue for both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing in the Chicagoland area following the closure of Arlington Park, making its future especially significant for horsemen, breeders and racing fans alike.
For now, however, the immediate message from both track management and the ITHA remains unchanged: business will continue as usual until the bankruptcy court rules on the sale and further guidance becomes available.
Whether Hawthorne ultimately hosts racing beyond the current schedule remains one of the biggest unanswered questions facing Illinois racing, but for the moment, horsemen are preparing horses, entering races and carrying on while awaiting the court’s next decision.
