Rockingham Park Horse Racing Track in New Hampshire
Rockingham Park is a great harness racing track on Rockingham Park Boulevard, Salem. It offers great live harness racing combined with family entertainment, and national simulcast broadcasting coverage. This great New Hampshire track clearly has plenty to offer the whole family and it has become a firm favourite amongst the locals. What’s more, you can combine your visit to the Rockingham Park racecourse with a little holiday time since the track is just a short ride away from both Boston and the coast.
It all started in 1906 when Rockingham Park was opened for a massive 21-day thoroughbred meet just outside of Salem Depot. Rave reviews and extensive marketing brought some 10,000 people to the track to enjoy the spectacle and the $1 million state-of-the-art clubhouse. However things came to a screeching halt only three days into the meet when the betting facility was shut down. Back then gambling was illegal in New Hampshire and such out-an-out defiance of the law was not tolerated. So things went underground and while the races continued to take place on the track, betting continued to take place under a cloak of normality. However the law had presented a huge problem to the racing community in New Hampshire and the track sat idle for quite a while after the opening meet had ended.
The pace slowly started to pick up again in 1911 when the first aviation meet in the state was held at the track. Slowly Rockingham Park became a place where large public gatherings could be held and before long, it hosted standardbred harness races, fairs, hot air balloons, livestock shows, carnivals, exhibits and much, much more. For a while Rockingham Park even became a popular motorcycle and automobile-racing venue. In 1931 efforts were made to re-open the track for racing but once again, the law interfered and the track was shut down. Only two years later gambling was legalized in the state, and before long thoroughbreds were hurtling down the track at top speed.
Today Rockingham Park no longer hosts thoroughbred horse races and harness racing has become the dominant sport at the track. When racing season closes, The Sports Club screens the all the biggest races and sporting events from around the country. Patrons can also enjoy full card-simulcasting every day of the year, a variety of dining options and a number of special family-orientated events which are hosted on the grounds each year. The horses can be cheered on from right next to the rail, or inspected more closely at the apron area. From rags to riches, Rockingham Park is every horserace lover’s perfect getaway spot.
