The Sonoma County Fairgrounds

Wine Country Horse Racing

Horse racing at its best!

Congratulations Russell Baze on 11,000 Career Wins!

"I just hope people will remember that I tried hard on all of them...Whether it was a stakes race or claiming, I rode hard every time."
Russell Baze

Friendly Wine Country crowd, superior horses, the sport's best jockeys, our beautiful turf track--and award-winning local wines. After all, this is Sonoma County!

California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF) Contact Information

2011 Racing Schedule

Wed. - Sun. July 27 - August 14
Post Time: 1:15 pm

Click here to purchase tickets online.

Don't know a quinella from a trifecta? Learn from the experts! Join us for FREE racing seminars every racing day in Shade Park at 11:30 am. Seminars are hosted by Prof. Gordon Jones. Special guests appearing daily!

KJZY Day at the Races, Saturday, July 30th!

KSRO Dat at the Races, Wednesdays, July 27, Augut 3 and August 10!

The River Day at the Races, Thursdays July 28, August 4 and August 11!

Mix Day at the Races, Fridays July 29, August 5 and August 12!

KGO Day at the Races with Rich Walcoff Sunday, July 31st!

Come See the Winningest Mule Ever:
Black Ruby

Mule racing has been a popular fair event throughout Northern California and Nevada for many years, but it wasn’t until Black Ruby came along that a mule could break into the upper echelons of the race world, Thoroughbred racing.

Black Ruby was such a strong and consistent winner that tracks eventually simply refused to take wagers on her. Out of 119 starts, Black Ruby earned herself 70 wins, 22 second place and 15 third place wins. She’s a 5-time world champion with earnings in excess of the $260,000 mark, unheard of for a racing mule. She’s also set world records at three distances and was inducted into the Mule Racing Hall of Fame in 2009.

She’s been featured The Daily Racing Form, plus publications like The New York Time and Sports Illustrated. She’s even had a song written about her.

Although Black Ruby retired in 2008, her career stands on its own merit. Once lauded as the “Secretariat of mule racing,” Black Ruby’s legend lives on in the annals of racing history and in the hearts of her owners and fans. You can see Black Ruby during her special appearance at Wine Country Racing during the Sonoma County Fair, on Sunday, August 7th.

Ladies Hat Day at the Races

Join us for a day of fun and fashion when you wear your favorite hat to Ladies Day at the Races, Saturday, July 30 at 1:00pm.

This extra special event takes place in the Sonoma County Fair VIP tent near the Grandstand. Proceeds benefit Sonoma County's "The Living Room," a daytime drop in center for women and children.

This event is SOLD OUT. For more information: www.ladieshatday.com

Click here to see the Wine Country Racing Condition Book.

Racing Grandstand Sponsors

Named Races

Receive 30 fair admissions and race seats, your name in the race program, your name announced before and after the race, and a photo of 6 of you with the winning horse and jockey! $450 per group, additional racing grandstand seats can be purchase if your group is larger than 30. Click here to see named race details.

Win Without Even Placing a Bet!

Here’s your chance to win at the track without even placing a bet! Look for the Win/Place/Show table as you enter the grandstands, fill out a slip, and put it in the numbered box that matches the horse you think will win that day’s 6th race. You might end up in the Winner’s Circle to claim $150, $100 or $50! (Must be present to collect prize.)

Derby Dog Dash

If you liked the Wiener Dog Races at the racetrack last year, you’re going to love the Derby Dog Dash. Yes, we’ll have a category for dachshunds, but the Derby Dog Dash includes all small breeds, so get your Chihuahua, your Poodle or your Puggle in training now.

Click here to go to the Derby Dog Dash site, where registration materials will be posted as soon as they are available.

Missed the Derby Dog Dash Sundays? No worries! Check out all the winners' photos and more on the Derby Dog Dash Facebook page

VIP Tents

Looking for a great place to hold your company's summer picnic or other special event? Check out our VIP Tent packages! Reserve our VIP tent right next to the racing grandstand and treat your guests to a day at the races. Wine Country Racing is a Sonoma County tradition, drawing trainers, owners, jockeys and racing enthusiasts from all over. With a VIP tent package, you'll receive excellent visibilty for your company, a BBQ lunch, Fair admission and parking. Add-on options are availble. VIP Tents require a 50 person mimimum and start at $24/pp.

Don't Forget: There's contests & drawings between races every Wed-Sun during the Fair!

Love the Races? Enjoy Live Racing Action All Year at our beautiful