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Grant Pass Downs
Grant Pass Downs is a horse-racing track in Grants Pass, Oregon, United States. It opened in 1968, at the Josephine County Fairgrounds.
History of Grant Pass Downs
1934 – The Grants Pass racing story traces back to the first race meet held during the annual county fair.
1950s – Don Jackson formed the Southern Oregon Horse Racing Association, helping shape the foundation for organized horse racing in Southern Oregon.
1968 – Grants Pass Downs began hosting live pari-mutuel horse racing at the Josephine County Fairgrounds.
1969 – Don Jackson acquired Flying Lark, a colt who would become one of Oregon’s most famous horses and later an important stallion. Flying Lark’s success helped put Grants Pass Downs on the racing map.
1976 – Horse racing began operating separately from the annual Josephine County Fair when the Southern Oregon Horse Racing Association started holding races earlier in the year.
2019 – After the closure of Portland Meadows, Grants Pass Downs became an important hub for live racing in Oregon. The track also concluded its first commercial race meet in November 2019.
2020 – Track improvements included additional sand added to the racing surface, part of continued efforts to improve safety and racing conditions.
2022 – Grants Pass Downs did not conduct its scheduled commercial live race meet after licensing and operating challenges affected the track’s racing program.
2025 – Live racing continued with summer and fall meets, helping keep the Southern Oregon racing tradition alive.
2026 – Live racing is scheduled to return with summer and fall race dates, continuing the track’s role as one of Oregon’s key live racing venues.
Track Details
Main Track
- Grants Pass Downs is a dirt flat-racing featuring a flat 0.5-mile or 880-yard dirt oval.
- It is with a 366-meter chute, approximately 400 yards, along with a designated infield and races for both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.
- The racing surface underwent major safety renovations to widen the track and comfortably host field sizes of up to 10 horses.
Other Facilities
Grandstand and Horse Track Area
- Live racing is held in the Grandstands and Horse Track area of the Josephine County Fairgrounds.
- The fairgrounds’ arena and grandstand area can accommodate up to 4,000 people.
- The grandstand area provides viewing access for live racing at Grants Pass Downs.
Josephine County Fairgrounds & Event Center
- Grants Pass Downs is located within the Josephine County Fairgrounds & Event Center.
- The fairgrounds span more than 50 acres.
- The fairgrounds host public, private, equestrian, and community events.
- Event uses include:
- Josephine County Fair
- Horse shows
- Rodeos
- Auctions
- Markets
- Concerts
- Community events
- Private rentals
RV Park
- The fairgrounds offer RV accommodations for overnight event visitors.
- RV facilities include:
- 30 full hook-ups
- 13 water-and-electric-only hook-ups
Concessions
- Concession options listed for Grants Pass Downs include:
- Casa Amiga
- Burgers, Fries & Good Times
- Bear Kountry Kettle Korn
- Ubhill Bar
- The Clucking Cow
Race Schedule and Major Events & Races
Grant Pass Downs Race Schedule
🐎Live Racing Schedule
- The track runs a shorter seasonal schedule rather than a year-round commercial racing calendar.
- Grants Pass Downs typically runs summer and fall meets.
- Summer racing is usually held in June and July.
- Fall racing is usually held from September into October.
- Usual post times are 1:00 PM, with select race days scheduled for 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM.
Major Race Events
- 🐴Firecracker Futurity
- 🐴Summer Fair Racing Meet
- 🐴Fall Racing Meet
Location and Access to the Racecourse
- Address: Grants Pass Downs is located at the Josephine County Fairgrounds & Event Center at 1451 Fairgrounds Road, Grants Pass, OR 97527.
- Access: The racecourse is accessible from Interstate 5 using Exit 55 or Exit 58 toward Highway 199, with live racing held in the Grandstands and Horse Track area of the fairgrounds.
- Admission and Parking: Adult admission for the 2026 season is listed at $5, kids 12 and under are admitted free, and parking is free.
- Carry-In Policy: Coolers and lawn chairs are allowed, but outside alcohol is not allowed.
Contact
- 1451 Fairgrounds Rd, Grants Pass, OR 97527, United States
- Phone: +1 541-476-1639
- https://www.gpdowns.com/
- https://racingontherogue.org/
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Grant Pass Downs
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