 County puts hold on search for new operator for historic Rillito Racetrack; no racing in 2025
PIMA COUNTY, July 23, 2024 – Pima County is pausing its search for a new operator for the legendary Rillito Racetrack, which has hosted horse racing for decades.
The pause will prevent a 2025 racing season, but County officials say there’s no reason for horse racing fans to be concerned; the racetrack will live on.
“This property is a significant part of our local heritage,” said Vic Pereira, the County’s Parks & Recreation Director. “Pima County is fully committed to the preservation of this historic facility and to ensuring that the public can continue to enjoy it for many generations to come.”
Rillito Racetrack is one of the County’s most celebrated properties and is known as the birthplace of modern quarter horse racing. Built in 1943, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
It’s known to racing buffs for the innovation of introducing a chute, which is an extended track that allows for a straight running start in races.
From 2014 to 2024, the horse racing operator at Rillito Racetrack was Rillito Racing, Inc. After their contract expired at the end of June, the County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on July 1.
Problems with the bid process caused the County’s Procurement Director to recommend halting the process and starting over. Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher, in a memorandum to the Board of Supervisors, told the Board the timing of a restarted RFP would not allow for racing in 2025.
The pause allows the County to conduct an assessment of the historic property to evaluate its current condition and ensure that it is safe for both people and animals. Just recently, the track’s temporary barns were damaged during a significant thunderstorm that damaged buildings and downed thousands of trees across much of the metro Tucson area.
For more information about the County’s decision, see this July 22, 2024 memo from Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher.
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